Scientist

Location: Leiden 

Duration: 12 months contract

Hours: 40h Hybrid way of working     

Imagine your next role as a Scientist to join our team in Leiden. 

Department:

The Bacterial Vaccines (BacVac) department is working on the discovery and early development of novel vaccines for bacterial infectious diseases. It strives to address unmet medical needs, such as bacteremia (sepsis), meningitis, and respiratory tract and nosocomial infections. Our projects at the Bacterial Vaccines department are primarily structured on scientific and technical collaboration with external biotechnology partners (governmental and industrial) that are innovative leaders in their field. This working process includes ‘state of the art’ vaccine discovery, with subsequent in vivo evaluation of these vaccine candidates in animal models for immunogenicity and efficacy. Besides, we establish and optimize manufacturing processes and support the generation of clinical trial material for human clinical studies.

The Bacterial Vaccines department has well-equipped laboratories and the possibility to acquire additional equipment and laboratory space. Janssen’s support departments, such as Vaccine Process & Analytical Development (VPAD) and Quality Control (QC), provide expertise to the Bacterial Vaccines department and its external partners for the development of their prototype vaccines.

Biochemical Assays group is part of the BacVac Analytical Development team. Bioassay group is responsible for:

⦁ Supporting bioassay-based analytical investigations for the research-grade drug substances, drug products, and reference antigens

⦁ Analyzing the quality of drug substances produced by BacVac Process Development team or CROs

⦁ Overseeing the contract analytics work performed at collaborators (CROs & academic partners)

⦁ Development and implementation of new and innovative Analytical Technology Platforms

⦁ Subject-matter experts in: bioassays, potency assays, in-process control assays and immunoassays of proteins and glycoproteins 

About the role 

 Are you interested in a Senior Associate Scientist / Scientist position in a renowned vaccine development company, and one of the world-leading manufacturers of innovative medicines? We offer you this opportunity in the Bacterial Vaccines department at our global R & D center. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you will get well-founded insights and work on a project with the possibility to bring in your ideas and be proactive in its development. At the Bacterial Vaccines – Analytical Development team, you will work on versatile and exciting challenges in an international working environment. During your work, you will interact with various Bacterial Vaccines teams and Janssen Vaccine support departments. 

Responsibilities:

 As part of an interdisciplinary and international team, you will gain insights into the requirements for the development of characterization assays and the work conducted in analytical laboratories with current challenges and processes. 

⦁ Chemical modification of bacterial surface molecules

⦁ Analysis of antigen-antibody interactions 

⦁ Analyze carbohydrate-, protein-, or glycoconjugate-based antigens.

⦁ Know, implement and improve established tests for carbohydrates, proteins, glycoconjugates, and particle-based vaccines.

⦁ Develop new biochemical methods (evaluate LoD, LoQ, accuracy, etc.)

⦁ With help from product development specialists, design and implement biochemical assays for in-process control (IPC), product characterization, and product release.

⦁ Support CROs to plan, execute, document, and review their work.

⦁ Learn new automated workflows to evaluate antigen-antibody interactions. 

⦁ Planning and leading method transfer of bioassays to partner labs (Janssen internal collaborators and external partners)

To be successful in this role you have:

⦁ PhD or M.Sc. with equivalent experience 

⦁ Professional experience (experience in a biotech industry setting is a must).

⦁ Experience with Biochemical analysis of carbohydrates, proteins and glycoconjugates.

⦁ Knowledge of biochemical literature, with emphasis on carbohydrate antigens, biochemical assay development, optimization, and troubleshooting.

⦁ Very good knowledge of bacterial cell surface molecules

⦁ Hands-on expertise in biochemical analysis of large biomolecules with a focus on antigen-antibody interactions 

⦁ Experience and knowledge of chemical modification of microbial surface components 

⦁ Significant knowledge of purification and enrichment of large biochemical entities  

⦁ Familiarity with automated or semi-automated instrumentation, while not required, would be advantageous

⦁Hands-on experience with biochemical assays or HPLC or protein-polysaccharide conjugate characterization assays. Experience in laboratory documentation.

⦁Capillary western blot, and capillary gel electrophoresis is nice to have. 

⦁ Problem-solving skills, including thorough hands-on laboratory experiments.

⦁Efficiency and clear communication.

⦁ Ability to manage and monitor work contracted to CROs.

⦁Safety-conscious mindset and great attention to detail, plus organizational skills

⦁ Fluency in English; fluency in Dutch is a plus

benefits

This role offers a competitive hourly rate & a supportive working environment. This contract will run initially for 12 months.

you are welcome here

Janssen is an innovative pharmaceutical company: we work every day on the frontline of health innovation. We can only meet this challenge because of our talented employees. Working at Janssen means that you get every opportunity to optimally develop your career.

about Janssen 

Janssen is the Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson - the world's most comprehensive and broadly-based healthcare Company. At Janssen, we bring together top scientists and researchers to pursue the most promising science and drive collaboration to create visionary medicines and healthcare solutions covering five priority therapeutic areas - Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, and Oncology. Contribute to the next pharmaceutical breakthrough with your next project at Janssen. 

https://www.janssen.com/netherlands/nl/janssen-nederland/biologics-leiden

application process

We are looking to process the first round of applications within the next 2 working days.

We do not accept applications via email. 

questions

If you would like some additional information about the role please contact:  katerina.alikaridou@randstadsourceright.nl

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

For more than 130 years, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) have been part of our cultural fabric at Johnson & Johnson and woven into how we do business every day. Our commitment to respect the dignity and diversity of all is embedded in our Credo.

We know that the success of our business depends on having the best talent in a workforce that reflects the diverse markets we serve around the world and an inclusive culture that values different perspectives and life experiences.

That is why we in the Netherlands are working to create an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are valued and each and every one of our people feels that they belong and can reach their potential. No matter who they are.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Johnson & Johnson means “You Belong”!