At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.
As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.
**Job Function: **
Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development
**Job Sub Function: **
Pharmaceutical Product R&D
Job Category:
Scientific/Technology
All Job Posting Locations:
Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium
Job Description:
**We are looking for: Principal Scientist, Analytical Chemistry **
Chemical Process Research & Development (CPRD) – Process Analytical Research (PAR)
Company Profile
Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine develops treatments that improve the health and lifestyles of people worldwide. Our development areas encompass novel targets in neurologic disorders, gastroenterology, oncology, infectious disease, diabetes, hematology, metabolic disorders, immunologic disorders, pulmonary hypertension and reproductive medicine. The successful candidate will be employed in the department of Chemical Process Research & Development (CPRD).
The CPRD organization focuses on the development of synthetic methodologies and processes across small molecules and peptides. CPRD aims to provide world-class production processes of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by enhancing efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Its key objectives include refining synthetic routes, scaling up processes from the laboratory to commercial levels, ensuring regulatory compliance and minimizing environmental impact. Within this department, the Process Analytical Research (PAR) subdepartment plays a critical role in providing analytical data and expertise for chemical process development activities. PAR ensures quality and performance through the design and implementation of state-of-the-art analytical methods while also generating and documenting essential end-to-end knowledge.
We currently have an open position for a Principal Scientist, Analytical Chemistry, specializing in High‑Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) to provide high-quality, fit‑for‑purpose analytical support for small molecules and peptides in chemical process development.
Job Description
As a Principal Scientist, you will apply LC‑HRMS workflows to provide high-quality, fit‑for‑purpose analytical insight during process development across small-molecule and peptide programs. The emphasis of this role is on reliable characterization of reaction mixtures, intermediates, products, and impurities to help teams understand what molecules were made, assess sample quality, and guide development decisions. Typical activities include exact-mass confirmation, impurity and byproduct profiling, peptide characterization, reaction-mixture analysis, and troubleshooting of process-related observations. In this role, you will work closely with process chemists, analytical colleagues, and cross-functional stakeholders, translating analytical datasets into clear and actionable development support across the portfolio..
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, optimize, and apply LC‑HRMS methods for fit‑for‑purpose characterization of reaction mixtures, intermediates, APIs, and related impurities across small molecules and peptides.
- Apply HRMS-based characterization to resolve analytical questions arising during process development, including molecular formula assignment, interpretation of accurate-mass and fragmentation data, impurity/byproduct identification, peptide characterization, and troubleshooting of process- and product-related observations, with a focus on sound analytical support for development decisions.
- Integrate HRMS data with chromatographic and complementary analytical readouts to convert complex datasets into clear, actionable process understanding that supports fit‑for‑purpose development decisions.
- Provide cross-portfolio HRMS support wherever needed, partnering with chemists and analytical colleagues to address fit‑for‑purpose characterization needs across projects.
- Strengthen digital ways of working by contributing to automated data processing, reproducible analytical workflows, and structured data practices that improve traceability, consistency, and data‑to‑insight efficiency.
- Apply complementary analytical techniques beyond HRMS (e.g., chromatography, spectroscopic or other fit‑for‑purpose tools) as needed to support investigations and project delivery.
- Mentor and coach colleagues in your expertise and contribute to building sustainable capabilities and knowledge-sharing within PAR.
- Actively contribute to scientific publications, adopt new technologies, and build strong internal and external scientific networks.
Experience and Skills
- Education: PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, (Bio)Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline with 5+ years relevant industrial experience; or MSc with 9+ years relevant experience.
- Core expertise: Demonstrated depth in LC‑HRMS, including accurate-mass measurement, isotope pattern interpretation, and fragmentation analysis, applied in a fit‑for‑purpose manner to support high-quality analytical decision-making in small-molecule and peptide process development.
- Peptides: Experience with HRMS-based peptide characterization workflows to support sequence confirmation, impurity assessment, comparability studies, and investigation of product-related heterogeneity.
- Small molecules: Experience applying LC‑HRMS to the confirmation of expected products, impurity and byproduct profiling, degradation or reaction-mixture analysis, and analytical troubleshooting in support of process development.
- Hands‑on experience with digital enablement, such as Python-based data processing, workflow automation, and development of reproducible analytical pipelines.
- Familiarity with LC/GC/SFC/IC and common LC modes (RP, HILIC; plus IEX/SEC/HIC as applicable).
- Knowledge of organic chemistry and chemical process development is a plus.
- Strong scientific communication skills (oral and written), fluent in English.
- Proven scientific track record (e.g., publications/patents/technical leadership).
Key Behaviours
- A cooperative spirit in a diverse, multidisciplinary team is essential, with a strong emphasis on building deep connections and effective collaboration.
- Exhibits enthusiasm for laboratory work and a commitment to fostering teamwork and collaboration among all members.
- Demonstrates critical thinking and creativity in addressing complex challenges.
- Proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement and receptive to new ideas and approaches.
- Exhibits flexibility by adjusting priorities and strategies to meet evolving project needs.
- Mentors colleagues in their areas of expertise and acts as a role model within the team.
- Able to constructively challenge the status quo and advocate for innovative solutions.
- Fosters an inclusive environment that encourages diverse perspectives and new ideas.
**Required Skills: **
Preferred Skills:
Budget Management, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC), Clinical Trial Protocols, Critical Thinking, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Drug Discovery Development, Industry Analysis, Interdisciplinary Work, Market Research, Organizing, Pharmacokinetic Modeling, Process Improvements, Product Development, Product Strategies, Report Writing, Safety-Oriented, Scientific Research
The anticipated base pay range for this position is:
€79,800.00 - €137,770.00
Benefits:
In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees’ and companies’ performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees - and in some location’s eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans. For more information, visit Employee benefits | Supporting well-being & career growth | Johnson & Johnson Careers.
*This is for informative purposes only. Amounts and actual benefits may vary by location and are subject to change.