Scientist

Hovione is an independent family owned international group of companies. From the beginning, we have set ourselves above and apart through our innovative technological and productive capabilities, reaching a top spot in the world market as an integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Company dedicated to helping Pharmaceutical Customers bring new and off-patent drugs to market.

Our people are the main asset for our continued success. Reaching over 1950 team members, from 36 different nationalities, that are located across Asia, Europe and North America (Portugal, US, Macao, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, and Switzerland), including 4 production sites.

Working at Hovione means reaching for innovation and excellence in everything we do: for our clients, our partners and, above all, our patients. That is why we are In it for life.

The REGENERAR project, spanning four years and commencing on March 1, 2024, aims to develop a non-viral delivery formulation up to TRL4 for gene editing applications. This formulation is intended to promote regeneration in tissues with limited self-repair capabilities.

The consortium comprises six partners from three EU Member States:

• Two academic institutions: University of Coimbra (Portugal) and University of Munich (Germany)
• One research institute: Fraunhofer Institute (Germany)
• One biotechnology SME: ST (Sweden)
• One large company: Hovione (Portugal)
• One project management company: SPI (Portugal)

The selected candidate will be involved in the preparation and production of nanoparticles under GLP-like conditions.

Funded by the European Union, in the context of project REGENERAR, under Grant Agreement no. 101129812.

• University, or equivalent, qualification in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Sciences,Pharmaceutical Technology, Biological Engineering or Biology or Mechanical Engineering (specific fordevices) or similar scientific field (mandatory), preferably with a PhD.
• Typically requires 3-6 years of relevant experience in Research & Development and/or Operations in the Pharmaceutical Industry or a Ph.D. degree in a relevant scientific field
• Expertise in polymeric nanoparticles for nucleic acid and/or protein delivery, particularly in the formulation, process development, and characterization. Experience in advanced drug delivery systems for genetic therapies is a strong plus.
• In-depth knowledge of nanoparticle formulation techniques, including nanoprecipitation, emulsification, and self-assembly methods, as well as critical quality attributes influencing stability and efficacy.
• Hands-on experience with process development and scale-up strategies for polymeric nanoparticles, including optimization of critical process parameters.
• Strong background in analytical characterization of polymeric nanoparticles, including particle size distribution, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency, biophysical interactions with target biomolecules and in biochemistry techniques (e.g. LC, gel electrophoresis, purification, western blot, ELISA)
• Familiarity with in vitro and in vivo models for evaluating nanoparticle performance, cellular uptake, and biodistribution.
• Solid understanding of regulatory requirements, GLP, and industry standards for nucleic acid-based therapies, with experience in preparing documentation for regulatory submissions being a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Office and data science tools (e.g., Power BI or equivalent), with experience in advanced statistical analysis, DoE (Design of Experiments), or machine learning being advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced environments, showcasing adaptability, resilience, problem-solving skills, and a results-oriented mindset.
• Strong communication skills, including fluency in English and the ability to present scientific findings effectively.

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. At Hovione, that means a work environment where differences are valued, and everyone is treated with fairness and respect. We want all our team members worldwide to feel supported, respected, and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

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