Scientific Area Lead

Scientific Area Lead

RCPE - Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering

Graz, Austria

Duties and responsibilities

• Lead and manage a senior scientific team of up to 5 Hcs, including experts in fields of oral formulation, pulmonary drug delivery, long acting and modified release dosage forms, solubilization and bioavailability enhancing technologies, formulation of biologics (protein, peptides, antibodies, oligonucleotides) and reverse engineering
• Joint responsibility with the Business and Operations Area Leader to ensure overall successful Area leadership and growth of the Area
• Responsible for the Area’s scientific strategy, visibility, quality and output (e.g. publications, scientific content for proposals and project reports)
• Strategic Implementation: Create and implement an effective, proactive, scientific growth strategy designed to generate new business opportunities
• Develop a scientific project pipeline consisting of applied service and funded projects
• Identify, acquire, and drive new projects, leveraging an existing network within the pharmaceutical industry and demonstrating a clear commitment to continuously expand and strengthen this network
• Responsible for:
  • Scientific team
  • Cross-disciplinary collaborations with internal teams including the modeling group, material science and manufacturing research group
  • Liaising external collaborations with industrial and academic partners and participating/leading partnerships/consortia
• Expected to understand and lead the science of preformulation, formulations, stability, biologics and clinical and translational aspects of product development and drug research
• Close cooperation with key scientists from other Areas and the CEOs

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Delivery, Formulation Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong existing network within the pharmaceutical industry, with a willingness and capability to expand it further to leverage business opportunities.
• Proven track record in drug delivery systems, formulation development (oral, pulmonary, parenteral, etc.) and related pharmaceutical technologies.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience leading scientific teams or departments, ideally within a pharmaceutical company, CDMO, or research institute.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement scientific strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Experience in identifying and acquiring new projects; ability to translate scientific innovation into business opportunities.
• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects and interact with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English (German is a plus); able to represent the organization at conferences, client meetings, and in publications.
• Proactive, self-driven personality with a passion for innovation, collaboration, and impact.
• Willingness to travel 15-20%

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