Associate Scientist Bioprocess Development

WHO ARE WE?

ROPU MIDI is a Regional Operating Unit that covers all local Human Pharma and Animal Health Operating Units across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, and The Netherlands. MIDI has a multicultural and diverse work environment. More than 1.800 employees are striving to work together to improve lives for patients and animals in our region.

THE OPPORTUNITY

In this role, you will play a key technical role in advancing innovative vaccine solutions within the Veterinary Public Health (VPH) portfolio, contributing to the development, optimization, and transfer of vaccines against viral pathogens of major global relevance.

You will design, plan, conduct, and report scientific studies, supporting projects from early development through process upscaling and transfer to manufacturing.

Acting as a critical technical interface between Research and Development and Production, you will help design robust, efficient, and scalable processes while contributing to regulatory dossier upgrades, next‑generation vaccine development, and the introduction of state‑of‑the‑art technologies.

In addition, when required, you will also coordinate laboratory activities and supervise a small team of technicians, combining hands‑on scientific work with technical leadership and cross‑functional collaboration.

This position is based in Lelystad (Netherlands) and reports directly to the VPH Biological Development Leader.

At Boehringer Ingelheim, we believe in fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. We promise to support your professional growth and provide a dynamic environment where your contributions make a real impact.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently design, propose, and implement experimental protocols to develop and optimize manufacturing processes for VPH vaccines, balancing process performance and vaccine quality across all development stages.
• Lead the preparation of experimental protocols, perform and coordinate laboratory activities, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely, high‑quality execution of work on the laboratory floor.
• Design and apply in‑process control strategies using molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunology techniques (e.g. ELISA, virus quantification and neutralization assays, Western blot, FACS), and perform hands‑on laboratory work.
• Independently analyze experimental data, formulate scientific hypotheses, draw conclusions, and propose follow‑up studies to project teams; contribute to scientific reports, presentations, and publications (internal and external).
• Provide technical expertise to identify root causes of experimental issues, support troubleshooting activities, and implement corrective actions to ensure continuity of project progress.
• Actively contribute to the implementation of new process technologies and state‑of‑the‑art methodologies within the Bioprocess Development (BPD) organization.
• Plan and support the transfer of developed or improved processes to Global Supply (GS) and other internal partners, identify potential risks, execute transfers, and provide post‑transfer product support.
• Ensure full compliance with quality, data integrity, and intellectual property requirements, including accurate documentation in batch records, electronic laboratory notebooks, and other regulated systems.
• Oversee the correct use, maintenance, and documentation of laboratory equipment, and author SOPs, work instructions, and technical documentation relevant to the area of responsibility.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING TO THE TEAM

• PhD / Master's degree or Bachelor's in Bioprocess Development or comparable educational background.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a laboratory, pilot plant or production facility, ideally within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Expertise in static and dynamic cell‑culture technologies and viral culture. Knowledge on biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of standard software tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and specific process‑ and equipment‑related software (e.g., ÄKTA systems, bioreactors).
• Knowledge of scale‑up and scale‑down strategies for bioprocess development. (Experience within pilot‑plant or commercial‑scale operations is an advantage).
• Good understanding of Good Scientific Practices, statistical analysis and Design of Experiments (DoE).
• Experience on formulation and knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices is an advantage.
• Self‑motivated professional with a high degree of initiative, commitment, and persistence.
• High level of autonomy in planning and executing project‑related studies.
• Flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Quality‑focused, applying rigorous scientific and operational standards.
• Reliable and consistent in delivering results.
• Strong team player capable of excelling in a cross‑functional, matrix organization.
• Fluent in English (knowledge of Dutch and/or French is an advantage).

WHAT WILL YOU GET IN RETURN?

Next to working in a Global Top Employer certified company that offers you the opportunity to develop and challenge yourself while learning from a fast-paced environment: 

• Be part of a wellbeing-oriented organization (Premium access to Headspace, OpenUP and ongoing support and initiatives related to ways of working to help our employees to stay healthy and constantly improve the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being) 

• Customized Development plan based on your role and aspirations, with several learning platforms such as LinkedIn Learning Premium (languages + training programs) and our Virtual Campus Lifelong learning at our Virtual Campus | Boehringer Ingelheim (boehringer-ingelheim.com) 

• A competitive salary range based on seniority and skills (plus annual bonus, 8% holiday pay and a company pension scheme) 

• Green mobility package where you get compensated even for cycling to the office – which is an inspiring, sustainable (platinum-certified) building  

• 31 vacation days to re-energize 

What’s next?

Please submit your application before 26th April 2026. We will have a look at your CV and cover letter. If we see a match, we will invite you for a video call interview to get to know each other. 

Screening:

In order to comply with applicable export control laws, Boehringer Ingelheim periodically screens business relations (including job applicants) against sanctioned party lists (“SPL”). These checks may be performed by Boehringer Ingelheim or by any of its Affiliates. You acknowledge that Boehringer Ingelheim and/or its Affiliates will screen you against SPL and that for this purpose your personal data may be processed in relevant databases, including databases of third-party vendors that perform SPL screening for or on behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim or its Affiliates which may be located or accessible outside the EU. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to ensuring an adequate level of protection of your personal data.