Process Modelling & Simulation Lead – Technical Development

avec compétence GmbH; Basel; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

avec compétence GmbH seeks a senior leader to run a modelling and simulation centre of excellence for pharmaceutical process development. You will set strategy, governance and standards across drug substance and drug product lifecycles, guiding a 20+ expert community and partnering with universities and vendors.

The role requires a PhD or Master’s in a related field, 12+ years in pharma process modelling, and strong leadership across matrixed groups. English fluency is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry or related discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in process engineering and modelling and simulation in pharmaceutical or science-based industries.
• Proven ability to lead complex initiatives across matrixed organisations and influence senior stakeholders.
• Hands-on experience with industry-standard modelling platforms and scientific programming languages.
• Understanding of mechanistic modelling, computational fluid dynamics, model-based process control and PAT.
• Fluent in English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Define strategy, roadmap, standards and governance for modelling and simulation across technical development.
• Lead a cross-departmental community of 20+ experts without direct formal authority.
• Identify where mechanistic, hybrid and data-driven modelling create the most impact.
• Act as senior technical authority on complex process development challenges.
• Build reusable digital capabilities such as validated model libraries and digital twins.
• Coach and mentor scientists and engineers to raise modelling and simulation literacy.
• Establish external partnerships with universities and technology vendors.

Skills

Modelling & simulation expertise

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Communication

Programming languages

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Modeling platforms

Scientific programming languages

Job description

This role leads a modelling and simulation centre of excellence for process development in the pharmaceutical industry, driving strategy, governance and technical solutions across drug substance and drug product lifecycles.

Tasks

• Define strategy, roadmap, standards and governance for modelling and simulation across technical development
• Lead a cross-departmental community of 20+ experts without direct formal authority
• Identify where mechanistic, hybrid and data-driven modelling create the most impact
• Act as senior technical authority on complex process development challenges
• Build reusable digital capabilities such as validated model libraries and digital twins
• Coach and mentor scientists and engineers to raise modelling and simulation literacy
• Establish external partnerships with universities and technology vendors

Profile

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry or related discipline
• 12+ years of experience in process engineering and modelling and simulation in pharmaceutical or science-based industries
• Proven ability to lead complex initiatives across matrixed organisations and influence senior stakeholders
• Hands-on experience with industry-standard modelling platforms and scientific programming languages
• Understanding of mechanistic modelling, computational fluid dynamics, model-based process control and PAT
• Fluent in English, written and spoken

Company

Pharmaceutical development