Head of Drug Linker Development & Tech Transfer

Lonza; Oberwallis; On-site; Vertraulich; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile career culture

Inclusive workplace

Competitive compensation

Role-based benefits

Job summary

Lonza in Visp, Switzerland, seeks a Group Leader for Drug Linker Development to lead a Chemist team across PD/MSAT/DSP, drive portfolio optimization of Drug Linker and Toxin products, and shape the unit's organization for the Accelerate Asset under construction.

You will ensure alignment with production facilities, manage resources, and develop capabilities, while maintaining GMP and safety standards in a fully site-based role.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline; PhD in Organic Chemistry preferred.
• Approximately 5–10 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development, API development, clinical supply, or manufacturing sciences.
• Proven experience leading complex projects in a matrix organization within clinical supply, development, or manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of chemical process development, scale-up, technology transfer, and GMP manufacturing requirements.
• Good knowledge of Drug Linker technology and understanding of safe work execution in containment assets.
• People management experience or strong motivation to develop into an expanded leadership role, including coaching and talent development.
• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets and delivering against performance targets.
• Fluent English language skills; German proficiency is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Support the Drug Linker Development Organization Head in ramping up the Accelerate Asset Development unit by defining and supporting critical business processes for drug linker projects.
• Manage hiring of Accelerate Chemists for the Drug Linker Accelerate Asset with DL Development leadership.
• Lead the Drug Linker Process Development team in line with objectives and monitor performance.
• Allocate chemists and lab resources in alignment with Drug Linker Development Teams.
• Guide Development/MSAT chemists to transfer Drug Linker Processes into GMP manufacturing facilities.
• Drive development and implementation of technologies to increase capability, capacity, and efficiency within Drug Linker Toxin operations.
• Act as technical/scientific expert for Drug Linker Toxin projects and create external scientific content.
• Facilitate collaboration between Drug Linker Development and interfaces like Bioconjugates and Small Molecules Operations.
• Lead HR aspects for the assigned team and contribute to scientists' development.
• Ensure GMP and safety compliance across activities.
• Support Heads of Drug Linker Organization in initiatives and strategic duties.

Skills

People management

Project leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in Chemistry/related field

Job description

Lonza in Visp, Switzerland, seeks a Group Leader for Drug Linker Development to lead a Chemist team across PD/MSAT/DSP, drive portfolio optimization of Drug Linker and Toxin products, and shape the unit's organization for the Accelerate Asset under construction.

You will ensure alignment with production facilities, manage resources, and develop capabilities, while maintaining GMP and safety standards in a fully site-based role.