Principal Scientist – Extractables & Leachables (E&L) (x|f|m)

Sartorius; Aubagne; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring programs

Career development opportunities

Global collaboration

Job summary

Sartorius is seeking a Principal Scientist – Extractables & Leachables (E&L) to shape and execute our global E&L strategy across products, services, and scientific positioning. The role blends deep scientific expertise with strategic leadership, aligning science, regulatory expectations and customer needs to sustain leadership in E&L for single-use systems.

Preferred location is Göttingen, Germany, with flexibility for other Sartorius sites across Europe (France, UK, Sweden, Spain).

Qualifications

• PhD with 10+ years in E&L or related field.
• Global expert with publications, patents or talks in E&L.
• GMP/regulatory experience in biopharma and single-use systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the E&L strategy across products and services.
• Advance mechanistic and data-driven E&L methodologies with predictive models.
• Lead scientific discussions with customers and guide product qualification strategies.
• Mentor scientists and foster cross-functional knowledge transfer.
• Engage in industry consortia and regulatory initiatives.

Skills

E&L expertise

Regulatory knowledge

Data-driven modeling

Mentoring & leadership

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Master's degree in a related field

Tools

Predictive modeling tools

Toxicology data integration

Job description

We are looking for a Principal Scientist – Extractables & Leachables (E&L) (x|f|m)or the PD Science and Testing FMTdepartment. The Principal Scientist (x|f|m) is a globally recognized technical expert responsible for shaping and executing Sartorius’ E&L strategy across products, services, and scientific positioning. The role combines deep scientific expertise, industry influence, and strategic leadership, bridging science, product development, regulatory expectations, and customer needs to sustain Sartorius’ leadership in E&L for single-use systems, drive innovation, and reduce experimental burden through predictive and mechanistic approaches.
Preferred location is Göttingen (Germany). Alternatively, this position can be based at other Sartorius sites across Europe, including: France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain.

Grow with us – Your Responsibilities

• Define and execute the strategy of the Extractables & Leachables technology area in alignment with Product and Technology Roadmaps to influence business direction
• Drive the evolution of science-based and proactive E&L approaches, moving beyond reactive compliance and reducing experimental burden through predictive methodologies
• Develop and advance mechanistic and data-driven E&L methodologies, including predictive models and integration of toxicological data into risk and safety frameworks
• Evaluate emerging industry trends, regulatory developments, and state-of-the-art technologies to identify innovation opportunities and guide scientific direction
• Act as internal and external Key Opinion Leader, contributing to industry consortia, regulatory initiatives, scientific publications, and conference presentations
• Lead high-level technical discussions with customers and contribute to product qualification strategies, ensuring strong customer value creation and differentiation
• Build and leverage internal and external networks while coaching and mentoring scientists and ensuring knowledge transfer across teams and functions

What will convince us

• PhD with at least 10 years of experience or Master’s degree with at least 12 years of experience
• Recognized global expert in Extractables & Leachables, materials science, or a related field with a strong track record (e.g., publications, patents, presentations)
• Deep expertise in E&L science, polymer or material chemistry and/or biopharmaceutical processes, and toxicological and safety assessment concepts
• Strong understanding of GMP and pharmaceutical regulatory requirements as well as biopharma manufacturing processes and single-use system applications
• Proven experience in modeling, data-driven approaches, or digital tools as well as the ability to translate science into business impact
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across diverse stakeholders combined with strong mentoring and relationship-building capabilities
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills in complex environments and a high level of autonomy and scientific credibilit
• Fluent English language skills; additional

What we offer

As a growing global life science company, stock listed on the MDAX, Sartorius offers a wide range ofBenefits:

• Personal and Professional Development: Mentoring, leadership programs, Talent Talks, internal seminar offerings, coaching for managers
• Work life balance: Remote options, flextime, flexible work schedules, sabbaticals
• Large, modern campus: Open office spaces, terraces, company restaurant with vegetarian and vegan options, cozy Italian bistro with ice cream sales, fitness studio and daycare center
• Making an impact right from the start: Comprehensive onboarding, including a virtual online platform even before joining, Welcome Workshops, “buddy” as point of contact
• Travel benefits: car leasing, bike leasing, large free parking garage, good bus connections
• Welcoming Culture: Mutual support, teamspirit and international collaboration; communities on numerous topics, such as coaching, agile working and business women network

We support diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people of all nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ages, disabilities and cultural backgrounds.

About Sartorius

Sartorius is part of the solution in the fight against cancer, dementia, and many other diseases. Our technologies help translate scientific discoveries into real-world medicine faster, so that new therapeutics can reach patients worldwide.

We look for ambitious team players and creative minds, who want to contribute to this goal and advance their careers in a dynamic global environment.

Join our global team and become part of the solution.

www.sartorius.com/careers