Principal Scientist

Reference No : R2842312

Position Title : Principal Scientist

Department : Global Drug Product Bioprocess Dev

Location : Toronto, ON

About the Job Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next‑gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI‑driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale – and shape the future of immunization.

The role will report to the Global Head Vaccine Drug Product Development and work closely with Unit Heads and Scientists from Vaccine Drug Product Development group based in Toronto and with Marcy l’étoile to accelerate the formulation development in the R&D portfolio.

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.

Main Responsibilities

Provide expertise to Global Vaccine Product teams in formulations, adjuvants and adjuvanted formulation development and work transversally with collaborators including unit heads, scientists and technologists.

Develop platform formulation roadmaps to lead and advance in the field keeping abreast of scientific advances and be able to integrate in the New Vaccine Portfolio.

Lead alignment globally in R&D and across to Industrialization and commercial for the delivery and implementation of the platform roadmap.

Ensure mastery and improvement of the Formulation and Adjuvants development platform and mastery of stabilization pathways for different biologics/vaccines modalities.

Provide expertise to lead platform in in‑silico formulation development, machine learning capabilities in formulation and DP process definition, and end to end digital and automation advances to accelerate development.

Lead the structure‑function relationship development on new formulation prototypes and support building the pre clinical and clinical formulation package.

Lead investigations and troubleshooting in the areas of formulation and adjuvant as an expert.

Contribute broadly across Drug Product teams and with partners, influence strategy, apply depth of expertise to drive formulation development in alignment with future New Vaccine needs &/or Industrial product strategy.

This role must balance a 'proximity' to lab activities (including doing some lab work) with strategic elements.

Support project plan definitions and provide scientific expertise to projects.

Collaborate with other groups or sites in transfer of Formulation and Adjuvants information and technologies from or to Global Vaccine Drug Product Development.

Closely collaborate with Global experts within VCDS and Bioprocess Development, from Global Industrialization, from Global Immunology and from Global Antigen groups.

The incumbent is also to act as a Scientific leader, VITA subdomain leader and/or GABIE expert.

Other Key Responsibilities

Formulation expert in the Vaccine Drug Development Platform in Global Bioprocess Development responsible for transversal scientific and technical aspects of assigned projects, to ensure scientific excellence, adherence to advanced technical standards and compliance with GxP status of work.

Ensure mastery and improvement of the Formulation, Adjuvants platform.

Lead implementation of the Formulation roadmap and integrate within operational teams to deliver for New Vaccine Projects.

Drive development of machine learning and in silico formulation development.

Drive next generation of formulation development approaches.

Enable end to end integration of digital and automation workflows in drug product development.

Advance new approaches in formulation screening, new equipment to enable faster formulation development, develop in‑process formulation methodologies to characterize formulations.

Develop design space approaches for Quality by Design.

Assist with current and future goals of Global Vaccine Drug Product Development team.

Contribute to plans to maintain, improve, and develop new competencies and assess resources (including personnel, facilities and equipment) necessary to meet current and future goals of the Global Vaccine Drug Product Development team.

Contribute to enhancing formulation competencies according to the plan through training, collaboration with external sources of competencies (Universities, Biotech companies, contract manufacturers, etc.), externalization and subcontracting.

Monitor technical skills of the team and propose or lead trainings for continuous improvement of skills/competencies of the teams.

Supervise, train, guide, motivate and empower peer scientists reports to perform assigned tasks as required.

Support project plan definitions and provide scientific expertise and guidance to projects

Leverage expertise and strong global network to lead definition & realization of CMC platform advancements in formulation and adjuvants in drug product development.

Share and align with Vaccine Drug Product Development group based in Toronto or in Marcy l’étoile.

Align priorities, timelines and way of working with Global Vaccine Development experts.

Collaborate productively with all the VCDS organization and in particular with Global Vaccine Development experts and with GMP teams.

Lead problem solving through own expertise or other internal or external experts.

Contribute to ensure that teams is adhering to current regulatory practices and GxP guidelines.

Contribute to ensure that teams is adhering to safety and compliance with GxP practices, local and Global SHE/biosafety regulations.

Feed and conduct expertise and innovation within Global Vaccine Drug Product Development

Drive innovation within Global Vaccine Drug Product Development by proposing product, equipment’s and technologies assessment within projects or innovation platforms.

Ensure implementation of state of the art and automated/high throughput technologies for formulation development and related methodologies.

Drive internal and external scientific visibility of the team.

Lead or contribute to technologies landscaping and survey as needed.

Participate to external technology opportunities.

Lead and promote team members to actively contribute to innovation networks or cross transversal R&D and M&S initiatives.

Collaborate with other groups or sites in transfer of formulation related information, materials and technology from or to Global Vaccine Drug Product Development

Contribute to ensure the successful transfer of formulation knowledge, techniques, information and systems from Global Vaccine Drug Product Development to external departments.

Support technology transfer and provide resources, as appropriate.

Collaborate closely and routinely with Industrialization colleagues to ensure alignment on current and future ways of working.

About You Key Requirements

PhD in Biological/Engineering Sciences or related fields with 5+ years of experience in formulation development in vaccine development programs/related biologics programs OR

Master’s degree Engineer with 5+ years of experience in formulation development in vaccine development/related biologics specialized in integrating formulation development with advanced digital/automation/high throughput/in‑silico tools.

Experience in drug product development and industrialization strongly required.

Understanding of complex R&D landscapes globally, ability to identify cutting‑edge technologies and new directions, strong knowledge of formulation related digital softwares, strong academic and biotech/pharma scientific networks.

Background and expertise: must have hands on experience in developing formulations and adjuvants.

Good oral communication, leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.

Fluent in English.

Why Choose Us?

Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future‑focused team.

Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

Enjoy a thoughtful, well‑crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.

Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high‑quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs.

Applications received after the official close date will be reviewed on an individual basis.

This position is for a new vacant role that is now open for applications.

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