Job Opportunities in Switzerland

At Chemical Process Research and Development (CPRD) within Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, we employ hundreds of scientific researchers and specialized technicians at our sites in Beerse, Belgium, and Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Our R&D activities encompass the development of processes for supplying New Chemical Entities, as well as designing commercial manufacturing routes for our medicines. We develop chemical processes that meet stringent requirements in safety, environment, technology, economy, and quality. CPRD is also responsible for generating the detailed process knowledge required for the successful development and registration of new medicines.
We are currently looking for highly motivated individuals with a deep understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, excellent experimental skills, and a desire to work in an international environment.
Join Our Innovative Process Development Team in Schaffhausen!
As a team, our mission is to bring to completion projects ranging from enabling chemistry to produce the first GMP batches to defining routes for late-phase development and commercial processes. Supported by a robust analytical platform, we ensure all required analyses are seamlessly integrated throughout the project lifecycle. Besides small molecules, we work on cutting-edge new modalities such as peptides and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC), with a focus on developing scalable and efficient processes.
The group is also hosting the Center of Excellence in Peptides with a mission to develop suitable routes throughout clinical studies, from early delivery to commercial production, providing end-to-end responsibility for bringing peptides to market.
We work closely with other CPRD functions within our global organization, including the Discovery Process and Research (DPR) group, Belgium Research and Development Capabilities (BRDC), and the External Research and Development Capabilities (ERDC) team. These collaborations enable a seamless integration of diverse scientific expertise, fostering innovation at every stage of chemical process development. By leveraging the strengths of each group, we accelerate the translation of early-stage discoveries into scalable, efficient manufacturing processes.
In addition, we are deeply connected to the Swiss research ecosystem through collaborations with ETH Zürich and NCCR Catalysis. Our department offers a truly multicultural environment, with team members representing nine different nationalities, fostering global perspectives and innovation.
J&J, both globally and locally, also offers mentoring sessions through the Wi STEM2D (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing, and Design) program, aimed at empowering women in the healthcare industry.
Job Responsibilities
We offer state-of-the-art research labs equipped with automated lab reactors, PAT probes, a High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE) laboratory, and open-access analytical equipment such as UPLC-UV-MS, GC and NMR instruments.
You will work hands-on in important development programs aimed at addressing unmet medical needs for patients worldwide. Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing new, robust synthetic routes for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients or key intermediates
• Planning, executing, and documenting synthetic experiments, analyzing and reporting data
• Acting as a key member of a highly diverse team
• Investigating new methodologies where applicable
• Gathering key data to ensure seamless transfer for further optimization and scale-up
• Collaborating closely with on-site analytical chemists
• Interacting with functional groups across J&J (process safety, process engineering, analytics, crystallization) and/or external partners
• Participating in internal meetings across J&J's multicultural and interconnected organization

The position (on-site and full-time) is based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, with a 12-month contract. Additionally, flexible working hours can be arranged upon discussion. An on-site canteen is available, offering a variety of meals.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Ph D in Organic Chemistry
• or a Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry with a minimum of two years of experience
• Proficiency in English
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams
• Strong organizational and reporting skills

Preferred Competencies:

• Expertise in multi-step synthesis and characterization of organic compounds
• Experience in catalysis (e.g., cross-coupling reactions or hydrogenation) is an advantage
• Familiarity with Flow Chemistry and/or High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE) is a plus