Non-Clinical Formulation Lead

UCB; Eigenbrakel; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB in Belgium seeks a Non-Clinical Formulation Development Lead to shape strategies for small molecules, peptides, and synthetic medicines from discovery through non-clinical development. You will guide formulation screening and regulated studies, translating complex data into clear development decisions and regulatory documentation.

You will coordinate the drug product project team during preclinical development, design experiments, interpret data, and propose actionable scientific steps.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Ideally, 5 years’ pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, or biopharmaceutical experience.
• Formulation expertise across drug substance, drug product, analytical, or biopharmaceutical development.
• Knowledge of regulated quality practices and pharmaceutical regulatory requirements.
• Experience preparing clear scientific and regulatory documentation.
• Strong interest in innovation, continuous improvement, and experimenting with new ways of working.
• Ability to adapt and thrive in an evolving organization, remaining agile and effective as priorities, structures, and ways of working change.
• Confident English communication, collaborative working, project planning, and risk management skills.

Responsibilities

• Shape formulation strategies from discovery through non-clinical development.
• Coordinate the drug product project team during preclinical development.
• Design experiments, interpret data, and recommend clear scientific actions.
• Oversee formulations supporting regulated toxicology, cardiovascular, and telemetry studies.
• Manage scientific activities with internal teams and external partners.
• Champion innovation, challenge established approaches constructively and introduce new ways of working to increase efficiency and scientific impact.
• Author regulatory documents and connect research and development functions.

Skills

English communication

Collaborative working

Project planning

Risk management

Innovation mindset

Education

Master's degree in a scientific discipline

5 years pharmaceutical development experience

Job description

We are looking for a Non-Clinical Formulation Development Lead who is collaborative, curious, and solution-focused to join our Developability and In Vivo Performance team, based in Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium.

About The Role

You will shape formulation strategies for small molecules, peptides, and other synthetic medicines from discovery through non-clinical development. You will provide scientific direction for formulation screening and regulated studies, connect scientific teams, and help orient future clinical formulations. Using your expertise, you will translate complex data into clear development decisions and regulatory documentation, while fostering innovation and exploring new ways of working that improve scientific quality, agility, and impact.

Who You’ll Work With

You will be working in a team that brings together formulation, biopharmaceutics, drug metabolism, laboratory operations, and drug product development expertise. You will collaborate with internal and external partners, facilitate communication across research and development functions, and support an integrated development strategy.

What You’ll Do

• You will shape formulation strategies from discovery through non-clinical development.
• You will coordinate the drug product project team during preclinical development.
• You will design experiments, interpret data, and recommend clear scientific actions.
• You will oversee formulations supporting regulated toxicology, cardiovascular, and telemetry studies.
• You will manage scientific activities with internal teams and external partners.
• You will champion innovation, challenge established approaches constructively and introduce new ways of working to increase efficiency and scientific impact.
• You will author regulatory documents and connect research and development functions.

Interested? For this role we’re looking for the following education, experience and skills

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Ideally, 5 years’ pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, or biopharmaceutical experience.
• Formulation expertise across drug substance, drug product, analytical, or biopharmaceutical development.
• Knowledge of regulated quality practices and pharmaceutical regulatory requirements.
• Experience preparing clear scientific and regulatory documentation.
• Strong interest in innovation, continuous improvement, and experimenting with new ways of working to solve scientific and operational challenges.
• Ability to adapt and thrive in an evolving organization, remaining agile and effective as priorities, structures, and ways of working change.
• Confident English communication, collaborative working, project planning, and risk management skills.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

About Us

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us?

At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [e-mail]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.