Junior R&D Scientist

invoX; Diepenbeek; Sur place; EUR 32 000 - 46 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

invoX Belgium N.V. seeks a Junior R&D Scientist to join the Analytical Lab in Diepenbeek.

You will own project-based analytical development, focusing on formulation development, analytical method development, and inhalation product performance testing, while ensuring ISO and GxP compliance. You will work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams and contributing to development strategies, experimental planning, and data interpretation to support

Qualifications

• Requires a master's degree or PhD in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, analytical sciences, biomedical sciences, or related field, or equivalent experience in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/analytical development, inhalation product development, or medical device combination products in a GxP environment.
• Strong data analysis and statistical evaluation skills with ability to translate data into conclusions and decisions.
• Experience developing, optimizing and troubleshooting HPLC/UPLC methods, including validation and stability testing.
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work independently and communicate across disciplines in regulated environments.
• Additional advantages: formulation science, inhalation drug delivery, or device-formulation interaction assessment.
• Knowledge of spray drying, freeze drying, or related processes and related analytical strategies.

Responsabilités

• Analytical Method Development: develop, optimise, troubleshoot, and execute HPLC/UPLC methods for inhalation formulation and product development.
• Scientific Study Design and Formulation Support: translate questions into experimental plans and provide formulation support.
• Data Interpretation and Reporting: record, analyse, statistically evaluate, and present results with clear conclusions.
• Inhalation Product Performance Testing: perform tests and interpret results including delivered dose, particle sizing, and NGI/impaction tests.
• Quality, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement: adhere to ISO/GxP standards and assist with deviations, CAPA, risk assessments.
• Cross-Functional Scientific Contribution: communicate data across R&D, QA, regulatory, and external partners.

Connaissances

Data analysis

Statistical evaluation

Collaborative mindset

Independent work

Formation

Master's degree or PhD in chemistry or pharmaceutical sciences

Outils

HPLC/UPLC methods

NGI cascade impaction

Inhalation testing equipment

Description du poste

Junior R&D Scientist

Department: R&D

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: invoX Belgium N.V.

Reporting To: Marijke Gielen

Description

We are currently seeking a Junior R&D Scientist to join our Analytical Lab team in Diepenbeek. In this role, you will take scientific ownership of project- based analytical development work, supporting the SMI device/formulation as a combination product, with a focus on formulation development, analytical method development, inhalation product performance testing, and robust scientifically data interpretation, while contributing to supporting the laboratory’s compliance with ISO and Good Practice (GxP) compliance.

This position offers the opportunity to work on impactful projects within a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams and contributing scientific input to development strategies, experimental planning, troubleshooting, and technical decision-making. You’ll directly contribute to developing therapies that improve patients' lives.

Key Responsibilities

• Analytical Method Development: Develop, optimise, troubleshoot, and execute analytical methods, including HPLC/UPLC-based procedures, to support inhalation formulation and product development. Assess method suitability, robustness, specificity, accuracy, precision, and stability-indicating capability, and contribute to the drafting, review, and update of SOPs, protocols, and technical reports.
• Scientific Study Design and Formulation Support: Translate project questions into scientifically justified experimental plans, conduct experiments to validate hypotheses, and provide formulation support for solutions and complex drug products. Interpret results critically, propose next experimental steps, and contribute to formulation development decisions.
• Data Interpretation and Reporting: Record, analyse, statistically evaluate, and report experimental results with precision. Draw scientifically justified conclusions, identify trends or unexpected outcomes, support root-cause investigations, and present recommendations to internal and external teams to guide ongoing development.
• Inhalation Product Performance Testing: Perform and scientifically interpret inhaler device and formulation performance tests, including active substance quantification, delivered dose, aerosol performance, particle size distribution and aerodynamic particle size distribution using cascade impaction techniques such as NGI. Evaluate device-formulation interactions and support comparability or stability-related testing.
• Quality, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement: Maintain laboratory equipment, inventory, and safe working practices while applying ISO, GxP, and regulatory expectations with scientific judgement. Author or review technical and quality documents such as deviations, risk assessments, CAPA input, and justifications, and identify opportunities to improve laboratory workflows, methods, and data quality.
• Cross-Functional Scientific Contribution: Act as a scientific representative within project teams, communicate complex data to colleagues in R&D, quality, regulatory, device development, and external partner organisations, and support technical training or mentoring of junior team members where appropriate.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A master's degree or PhD in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, analytical sciences, biomedical sciences, or a related field, or professional bachelor with equivalent experience gained in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Relevant experience in pharmaceutical development, analytical development, inhalation product development, drug delivery, or medical device combination products, preferably within a GxP environment and with familiarity with standards such as ISO 13485 or relevant medical device guidance.
• Strong skills in data analysis, statistical evaluation, scientific interpretation, and clear translation of data into conclusions, recommendations, and development decisions.
• Experience developing, optimising and troubleshooting HPLC/UPLC methods. Preferably including (pre-) validating analytical methods, stability-indicating methods, forced degradation, stability studies, etc testing.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work independently, take ownership of scientific work packages, communicate effectively across disciplines, and contribute constructively to technical discussions and project decisions.
• Experience authoring or reviewing protocols, reports, SOPs and other quality documents such as risk assessments, deviations, CAPA input, and technical justifications in a regulated or quality-driven environment.
• Additional advantages:
• Proven expertise in formulation science, ideally within inhalation drug delivery, respiratory disease treatment, or device-formulation interaction assessment.
• Hands-on experience with inhalation performance testing such as delivered dose, aerodynamic particle size distribution, NGI/ACI cascade impaction, aerosol characterisation, or comparability assessments.
• Experience contributing to regulatory documentation, technical responses, or development reports for pharmaceutical, inhalation, or medical device combination products.
• Experience in material science, biologics, or working with recombinant enzymes.
• Knowledge of spray drying, freeze drying, or similar processes.
• Nanosuspension knowledge is beneficial.
• Ability to interpret physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling and pharmacokinetic data.

Why work at invoX?

We get things done, we keep things simple and we are driven by the science. We are ambitious so we work hard to create an environment where we can take smart risks. We want to be innovative so encourage debate and collaboration to challenge the usual way of doing things. We love our celebrations and socialising, which make invoX a fun and diverse place to work. And most of all, everyone has the opportunity to make a difference.