Lab Automation Engineer Specialist

Title: Lab Automation Engineer SpecialistLocation: Ghent-BE  Work Arrangements: Hybrid (4 days on site, 1 day home office) About Sanofi: We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Join Sanofi R&D, the engine of Sanofi’s mission — where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI-powered research. About The Job Join Sanofi R&D in Ghent as Lab Automation Engineer/Scientist to strengthen and expand our Automation & Data workflow team within STREAM (Scientific Team for Research Excellence and Automation Management). In this role, you will contribute to the development of high-throughput end-to-end automated workflows integrating state-of-the-art equipment. You will directly support the acceleration of R&D projects by applying your expertise in automation to the screening and characterization workflows supporting NANOBODY lead candidates across our Discovery and Pharmaceutical Research & Technology (PRT) departments. These activities will support the pre-clinical development of NANOBODY molecules in different therapeutic areas (e.g. immuno-oncology, immunology, rare and neuro disease, etc.).  About Our Team  Sanofi Ghent is a biopharmaceutical site dedicated to creating new antibody-based therapeutics called NANOBODY molecules which are making a real difference to society. The Ghent site currently has around 400 people working on the discovery and pharmaceutical development of NANOBODY molecules for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.  You will become a member of the STREAM Automation & Data Workflow team — an enthusiastic, international and collaborative team that values knowledge-sharing and works closely with scientists across the Discovery and PRT departments. Main Responsibilities Automation Development & Support Developing and maintaining automation scripts for liquid handling platforms (Hamilton Venus, Tecan Fluent/Evo) Designing workflow orchestration of integrated equipment using Venus, PlateButler or other scheduling software Setting up fully automated high-throughput processes across Discovery and PRT departments Supporting robotic platform installations, commissioning, maintenance and validation activities in collaboration within the Sanofi network and with external engineering companies Independently designing and executing automated experiments Assisting in troubleshooting automation equipment and resolving technical issues Contributing to automation run planning and coordination across departments Process Improvement & Documentation Supporting standardization efforts for automation workflows across the site Maintaining comprehensive documentation for automation methods and procedures Participating in knowledge transfer sessions and cross-departmental collaboration, building out the local-to-global automation hub Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives for automation processes Provide training and guidance to personnel regarding automation protocol development and execution. Digital Integration & Innovation Assist in connecting automation platforms to digital data systems (ELN, LIMS, databases) Support end-to-end workflow development from sample preparation to data capture Contribute to custom tooling development, including 3D modeling and printing projects Keeping up with latest developments in the field of lab automation and evaluating implementation of new technologies. Leveraging digital tools and AI to solve problems About You Degree of B.
Sc. with 3 years of relevant experience or M.
Sc. with 2 years relevant experience (degree should be in engineering, bioengineering, computer science or applied science field) Programming expertise with one or more programming languages such as Python, R, is required Programming expertise with one or more commercial liquid handlers is highly desired, such as TECAN EvoWare, TECAN Fluent Control, Synthace, Hamilton Venus or equivalent Hands-on experience with robotic systems and laboratory instrumentation  Experience in transforming laboratory protocols into automated high-throughput protocols is preferred Experience in integration of equipment into fully automated systems, including equipment data connectivity solutions to enable automated data transfer between instruments and Laboratory Information Management Systems (eg Benchling) and advanced robotic handling is preferred Knowledge of 3D modeling software and additive manufacturing is a plus Proficiency with digital tools for everyday collaborative work Demonstrate proficiency in digital laboratory tools including Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) such as Benchling, Genedata Biologics and data analysis software Solid analytical and problem-solving skills A pro-active approach and hig