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.
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**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:
**About Innovative Medicine **
Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.
Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.
Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine
We are searching for the best talent for Senior Scientist to be in Beerse (Belgium)
**Purpose: **
The scientist will join the Advanced Materials Characterization and Investigations (AMCI) group within Analytical Development. AMCI is an international and diverse team of scientists performing advanced analytical characterization of pharmaceutical products and leading global analytical investigations for the commercial product portfolio and for the Discovery, Product Development & Supply (DPDS) organization of J&J Innovative Medicine.
In this lab-based role, you will provide hands-on characterization of drug–device combination products and polymer-based components, generating actionable, engineering-focused insights that enable robust design and development decisions. You will plan, execute, and optimize mechanical property testing—tensile, uniaxial compression, injectability/glide force, 3-point bending, and detachment/adhesion force—using Zwick, Instron, and texture analyzers, and you will design and implement test fixtures as needed to ensure fit-for-purpose methods. You will also conduct dimensional metrology and fit/form assessments using Keyence systems and profile projectors and apply IR spectroscopy and imaging/microscopy to determine polymer identity, morphology, and structure–property relationships.
The purpose of the role is to produce high-quality mechanical, dimensional, spectroscopic and imaging datasets; interpret and communicate results; and translate findings into clear recommendations that support design verification/validation, troubleshooting, and lifecycle product development for combination products. You will maintain awareness of relevant regulatory and packaging requirements for devices and combination products, ensuring that test strategies, documentation, and reporting align with applicable expectations.
As a key interface between Analytical Development and engineering/design stakeholders, you will act as a liaison to translate engineering requirements into characterization strategies, define test parameters and acceptance criteria, develop and validate methods, and ensure outcomes are effectively integrated into product and process evaluations across the combination product lifecycle.
The position is based in Beerse, Belgium.
You will be responsible for:
- Perform advanced materials characterization experiments using mechanical testers (e.g. Zwick, Instron), imaging and spectroscopy instruments (e.g. IR, SEM, Optical Microscopy, XCT, etc.), ensuring high-quality sample preparation and optimal instrument operation.
- Collaborate closely at the interface between Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Drug Products (DP), Device (DDS) teams to enhance product development, i.e. selecting optimal API quality with respect to physical material attributes and DP formulation & manufacturing platforms
- Continuously evaluate analytical characterization strategies to provide the best support possible to the project teams in CMC development
- Drive internal & external innovation projects with respect to characterization approaches and workflows. This includes the assessment of novel characterization techniques and modeling.
- Analyze and interpret results, providing clear, data-driven insights to address product quality, structure, and performance questions.
- Maintain and calibrate equipment, ensuring operational excellence and compliance with laboratory standards.
- Participate in cross-functional meetings to present imaging findings, foster scientific exchange, and contribute to a collaborative innovation culture.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, GMP and safety.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- PhD degree (or equivalent) in Polymer and material Sciences (preferred), Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physics, or a related field.
- Prior practical laboratory experience and/or knowledge in mechanical properties testing (e.g. uniaxial testing, injectability, 3-point bending, detachment force)
- Prior work with drug-device combination products and medical devices is a plus
- Prior knowledge/experience in at least one of the following advanced imaging techniques is a plus: IR/Raman Microscopy, SEM, Optical Microscopy, XCT and/or THz imaging.
- Knowledge of statistical methodologies incl. PCA/PLS.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail in experimental work.
- Good project organization skills and clear written and oral communication abilities to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Collaborative mindset and ability to work in matrix teams within an international environment.
- Open-minded, with ability to work together as one team in a global environment.
- Fast learner with scientific curiosity, self-steering, pro-active, creative.
- Fluent in English (spoken and written).
**Required Skills: **
Preferred Skills:
Coaching, Collaborating, Critical Thinking, Drug Discovery Development, Goal Attainment, Market Research, Organizing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Trends, Product Development, Product Strategies, Report Writing, Research Documents, Research Proposals, Scientific Research, Standard Scientific Processes and Procedures, Technologically Savvy