Junior R&D Scientist

Junior R&D Scientist

Department: R&D

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: invoX Belgium N.V.

Reporting To: Marijke Gielen

Description

We are currently seeking a Junior R&D Scientist to join our Analytical Lab team in Diepenbeek. In this role, you will take scientific ownership of project- based analytical development work, supporting the SMI device/formulation as a combination product, with a focus on formulation development, analytical method development, inhalation product performance testing, and robust scientifically data interpretation, while contributing to supporting the laboratory’s compliance with ISO and Good Practice (GxP) compliance.

This position offers the opportunity to work on impactful projects within a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams and contributing scientific input to development strategies, experimental planning, troubleshooting, and technical decision-making. You’ll directly contribute to developing therapies that improve patients' lives.

Key Responsibilities

• Analytical Method Development: Develop, optimise, troubleshoot, and execute analytical methods, including HPLC/UPLC-based procedures, to support inhalation formulation and product development. Assess method suitability, robustness, specificity, accuracy, precision, and stability-indicating capability, and contribute to the drafting, review, and update of SOPs, protocols, and technical reports.
• Scientific Study Design and Formulation Support: Translate project questions into scientifically justified experimental plans, conduct experiments to validate hypotheses, and provide formulation support for solutions and complex drug products. Interpret results critically, propose next experimental steps, and contribute to formulation development decisions.
• Data Interpretation and Reporting: Record, analyse, statistically evaluate, and report experimental results with precision. Draw scientifically justified conclusions, identify trends or unexpected outcomes, support root-cause investigations, and present recommendations to internal and external teams to guide ongoing development.
• Inhalation Product Performance Testing: Perform and scientifically interpret inhaler device and formulation performance tests, including active substance quantification, delivered dose, aerosol performance, particle size distribution and aerodynamic particle size distribution using cascade impaction techniques such as NGI. Evaluate device-formulation interactions and support comparability or stability-related testing.
• Quality, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement: Maintain laboratory equipment, inventory, and safe working practices while applying ISO, GxP, and regulatory expectations with scientific judgement. Author or review technical and quality documents such as deviations, risk assessments, CAPA input, and justifications, and identify opportunities to improve laboratory workflows, methods, and data quality.
• Cross-Functional Scientific Contribution: Act as a scientific representative within project teams, communicate complex data to colleagues in R&D, quality, regulatory, device development, and external partner organisations, and support technical training or mentoring of junior team members where appropriate.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A master's degree or PhD in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, analytical sciences, biomedical sciences, or a related field, or professional bachelor with equivalent experience gained in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Relevant experience in pharmaceutical development, analytical development, inhalation product development, drug delivery, or medical device combination products, preferably within a GxP environment and with familiarity with standards such as ISO 13485 or relevant medical device guidance.
• Strong skills in data analysis, statistical evaluation, scientific interpretation, and clear translation of data into conclusions, recommendations, and development decisions.
• Experience developing, optimising and troubleshooting HPLC/UPLC methods. Preferably including (pre-) validating analytical methods, stability-indicating methods, forced degradation, stability studies, etc testing.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work independently, take ownership of scientific work packages, communicate effectively across disciplines, and contribute constructively to technical discussions and project decisions.
• Experience authoring or reviewing protocols, reports, SOPs and other quality documents such as risk assessments, deviations, CAPA input, and technical justifications in a regulated or quality-driven environment.