Experienced Scientist, Oral Peptide Development

Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson · Pharma · Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium

This role focuses on the research and development of oral drug delivery systems for peptides within the pharmaceutical industry. The scientist will design and develop novel formulations, scout external innovations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform peptides into effective oral solid dosage forms. Responsibilities include contributing to formulation development, strengthening stakeholder relationships, driving innovation with new technologies, executing formulation activities, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

What you'd actually do

  1. Contribute to the Formulation Development: Support and drive the formulation of peptides into oral solid dosage forms.
  2. Strengthening Stakeholder Relationships: Build and maintain robust relationships with cross-functional stakeholders, collaborating with various departments such as Discovery Pharmaceutics, Preclinical and Clinical, Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Development, API Development, Clinical Supply Chain, and Regulatory.
  3. Driving Innovation: Optimize existing formulation and technology platforms, using your expertise to develop novel therapeutic solutions such as GI-targeted drug delivery systems via functional coating or additive manufacturing (3D printing). Identify and screen external innovations in drug delivery specifically tailored for oral peptide delivery into solid dosage forms.
  4. Collaborative Execution: Work closely with fellow scientists to design, plan, and carry out formulation development activities across our diverse product portfolio.
  5. Scientific Documentation: Diligently document scientific data and progress, contributing to regulatory submissions, scientific publications, intellectual property initiatives, and strategic decision-making.

Skills

Required

  • Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Industrial Pharmacy, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological or Physical Sciences, or a related field, with preferably 1 year of relevant industry experience. Alternatively, a Bachelors Degree in relevant fields with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience or a Masters Degree in relevant fields with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in formulation design and process development for peptides into oral solid dosage forms.
  • Familiarity with pre-formulation activities and physicochemical characterization of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and final drug products.
  • Familiarity with the in vitro and in vivo performance of peptides administered orally, coupled with a basic knowledge of biopharmaceutical principles specific to oral peptides.
  • Expertise in implementing advanced technologies related to drug formulation and development, with the ability to determine critical quality attributes, process parameters, and material attributes.

Nice to have

  • opportunities to enhance permeability of peptides in the intestine
  • experience with GI-targeted or local drug delivery is a distinct advantage
  • basic knowledge of biopharmaceutical principles specific to oral peptides would be valuable assets

What the JD emphasized

  • oral peptide development
  • oral solid dosage forms
  • drug delivery systems