(Senior) Scientist in Precipitation & Particle Design (temp role)

Johnson & Johnson Co.; Beerse; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson Beerse is seeking a (Senior) Scientist to lead precipitation and particle design research for peptides, enabling robust APIs for drug product manufacture. You will work within the Crystallization Technology Unit (CTU) to engineer particle attributes through crystallization, amorphous precipitation, isolation, and drying.

You will apply PAT tools (UPLC, XRD, Raman, DSC, DVS) and collaborate across functions to deliver scalable processes for manufacturing.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, or related discipline.
• Strong fundamental understanding of amorphous properties, precipitation principles and the relationship between processing conditions and API attributes.
• Hands-on laboratory expertise with responsibility for design, execution, and interpretation of data-rich experiments.
• Strong scientific foundation in amorphous product behavior, particle characterization, and process development.
• Experience generating high-quality experimental data to support process understanding, development decisions, and scale-up.
• Excellent scientific communication skills in English, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional environment, collaborating with diverse project teams to develop and implement efficient processes.

Responsibilities

• Research particle tuning strategies for amorphous APIs, developing robust precipitation and isolation processes.
• Evaluate different precipitation and isolation technologies and approaches.
• Design and optimize particle engineering strategies to achieve target API characteristics such as particle size distribution, morphology, density, and flowability.
• Develop mechanistic understanding through data-rich experimentation, process analytics, and modeling.
• Assess impact of process parameters on precipitation behavior, particle properties, manufacturability, and downstream performance.
• Design scalable processes delivering desired API specs from lab to production.
• Apply advanced analytical techniques and PAT tools to guide research.

Skills

Amorphous precipitation

Particle design

Process development

Data-driven experiments

Analytical techniques

English communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, or related

Tools

UPLC

XRD

Raman

ATR-FTIR

Laser diffraction

Image analysis

DSC

DVS

Job description

Job Function

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function

Chemical Research

Job Category

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations

Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium

Job Description

Scientist : Precipitation & Particle Design Research

Crystallization Technology Unit (CTU) | Beerse, Belgium

At Johnson & Johnson , we believe health is everything. As an (Senior) Scientist in Precipitation & Particle Design, you will play a meaningful role in designing and engineering particle attributes of peptides that enable robust, scalable, and manufacturable Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

You will combine expertise in crystallization, amorphous precipitation, isolation, drying, and particle characterization to develop processes that deliver the optimal API characteristics required for successful drug product manufacture. A particular focus will be placed on peptides, where amorphous precipitation is often required and where isolation and drying can be especially challenging due to the complex physicochemical properties, sensitivity, and handling behavior of these molecules.

Based in Belgium , Beerse , you will join the Crystallization Technology Unit (CTU) -a recognized center of excellence supporting particle engineering and crystallization process development across the Johnson & Johnson synthetic molecule portfolio.

This position is offered as a fixed term with a duration of 24 months. You will have the opportunity to work in a leading research team and innovation driven R&D campus. This experience will support your development towards next job opportunities.

Your impact

In this role, you will research particle tuning strategies for amorphous APIs, developing robust precipitation and isolation processes that deliver the desired API properties for successful manufacture of drug products.

• Perform lab research into controlled precipitation and isolation procedures for amorphous APIs.
• Evaluate different precipitation and isolation technologies and approaches.
• Design and optimize particle engineering strategies to achieve target API characteristics such as particle size distribution, morphology, density, filtration performance, flowability, and solid-state form.
• Develop mechanistic understanding of precipitation and particle formation through data-rich experimentation, process analytics, and scientific modeling.
• Evaluate the impact of process parameters on precipitation behavior, particle properties, manufacturability, and downstream process performance.
• Design scalable processes that consistently deliver desired API specifications from laboratory through commercial manufacturing.
• Apply advanced analytical techniques and PAT tools (e.g., UPLC, XRD, Raman, ATR-FTIR, laser diffraction, image analysis, DSC, DVS,...) to guide your research.
• Drive innovation in amorphous precipitation process development through external collaborations, scientific networking, and engagement with academic partners.

What you bring

Required

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong fundamental understanding of amorphous properties, precipitation principles and the relationship between processing conditions and API attributes.
• Strong hands‑on laboratory expertise, with demonstrated responsibility for the design, execution, and interpretation of data‑rich experiments
• Strong scientific foundation in amorphous product behaviour, particle characterization, and process development.
• Experience in generating high‑quality experimental data to support process understanding, development decisions, and scale‑up.
• Excellent in scientific communication skills in English, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly document, interpret, and present experimental results.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross‑functional environment, collaborating with diverse project teams to develop and implement efficient processes.

Preferred

• Industrial experience in crystallization, precipitation, isolation, and drying processes
• Experience with crystallization and/or isolation of biomacromolecules (e.g