Lead Scientist - Process Analytical Technology – Small Molecules (all genders)

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of. 

As a Lead Scientist - Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and member of our PAT Team you are leading the evaluation, selection, and implementation of process analytical technology projects for our growing small molecules division by applying advanced process analytical technology methods. Your work influences the safety, quality, sustainability, and economical performance of our products. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Design and perform PAT feasibility studies in both laboratory and plant settings with online/inline spectroscopy methods; gathering and analyzing data through the application of both established and innovative analytical methods 

• Lead and manage the implementation and optimization of projects for PAT methods across small, medium, and large-scale manufacturing facilities, and technologies in production

• Understand the integration of PAT equipment requirements in a production environment 

• Utilize a range of advanced experimental design and structured problem-solving techniques 

• Close collaboration in interdisciplinary project teams, incl. production, engineering, maintenance, quality control, quality assurance, procurement, as well as external technology providers 

• Drive innovation by actively contributing to the investigation of new technology trends and the improvement of existing methods and procedures 

• Communicate and present gathered results in internal and external exchanges in the form of written and verbal contributions 

• Troubleshoot PAT instrumentation 

• Leverage process analytical technology (PAT) data to identify opportunities for process optimizations and continuous improvements

• Creates, revises, or reviews documents related to PAT SOPs, protocols, and work instructions

Key requirements: 

• PhD or MSc degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, or equivalent education. Preferred area of study:  analytical chemistry 

• You bring several years of experience in the pharmaceutical, chemical, or food industry 

• Multiple years of experience in analytics, spectroscopy, process analytics, chemistry, chemometrics, basic process technology, and statistics is required 

• In-depth understanding of principles and applications of advanced analytical online methods, combined with hands-on experience with method development/improvement (e.g. NIR, MIR, RAMAN, Particle Size Analyzer, UV/Vis, MS) and data analysis and model construction techniques with relevant chemometric tools (e.g. PCA, PLS, MCR, Indirect Hard Modeling, ANN, SVM) 

• Interest and understanding of the setup and use of hardware, software, and network at an advanced level 

• cGMP understanding, project management skills, and Lean SixSigma training are beneficial  

• Ability to work in a self-guided manner with good time-management skills. Capability to participate in interdisciplinary meetings and facilitate decision-making for project

• Analytical skills, good proactive communicator, collaborative, team player, and willingness to train senior and junior level colleagues. A data-driven approach to problem-solving

• Genuine interest in the field and willingness to learn, expand knowledge, and innovate 

• Fluency in English is required, and a good knowledge of German is an advantage 

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.  

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.