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Automation & Advanced Modeling Senior Scientist Process Engineering

Montpellier, France
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At a glance

Bring your curiosity to a team where deep immunoscience meets cutting-edge innovation. Across oncology, rare diseases, neurology, and vaccines, you’ll work at the intersection of lab science and AI-powered discovery — all while collaborating across boundaries to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. Whether you want to deepen your scientific expertise or grow as a leader, you’ll find the opportunity here.

Le contenu du poste est libellé en anglais car il nécessite de nombreuses interactions avec nos filiales à l’international, l'anglais étant la langue de travail.

This job offer is accessible to all, regardless of gender.

Job title: Automation & Advanced Modeling Senior Scientist Process Engineering

  • Location: Montpellier
  • Permanent contract

About the job

As Automation & Advanced Modelling Senior Scientist within our Process Engineering team, you'll design, program, and deploy intelligent systems that accelerate drug substance development. Ready to get started?

You'll be at the forefront of transforming laboratory science through cutting-edge automation and computational modeling. By integrating advanced technologies with pharmaceutical development, you'll enable faster, more efficient processes that bring life-saving medicines to patients. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic innovation, positioning you as a key driver of our digital transformation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

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:

  • Design and implement automated laboratory systems using LabVIEW and other programming platforms to streamline experimental workflows and increase throughput in drug substance development
  • Develop advanced process models utilizing mechanistic, statistical, and hybrid approaches to predict and optimize biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes
  • Integrate hardware and software systems by connecting laboratory instrumentation, sensors, and control systems to create seamless automated platforms
  • Apply data analytics and machine learning techniques to extract insights from process data, enabling predictive modeling and process understanding
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including scientists, engineers, and quality assurance to translate scientific requirements into automated solutions
  • Validate and qualify automated systems ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical regulations and quality standards (GMP, FDA, EMA guidelines)
  • Communicate technical findings through presentations, reports, and publications to internal stakeholders and external scientific communities

About you

  • Experience : PhD with 2+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field. Proven track record in laboratory automation and process modeling within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or chemical industries. Experience with technology transfer and scale-up activities is preferred
  • Soft and technical skills : Programming expertise: Advanced proficiency in LabVIEW for automation and control systems; strong skills in Python, MATLAB, or C# for data analysis and modeling. Process modeling: Experience with mechanistic modeling, statistical design of experiments (DOE), multivariate data analysis (MVDA), and process simulation tools. Laboratory instrumentation: Hands-on experience integrating and controlling analytical instruments, bioreactors, chromatography systems, and other process equipment. Automation platforms: Familiarity with SCADA systems, PLCs, robotic liquid handlers, and automated sampling systems is highly valued. Problem-solving mindset: Ability to troubleshoot complex technical challenges and develop innovative solutions. Collaboration skills: Strong interpersonal abilities to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Project management: Capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and deadlines
  • Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline; or Master's degree in the same fields with substantial relevant experience
  • Languages : English: C1 level (advanced proficiency in speaking and writing), French: Professional working proficiency preferred

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 and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave

PursueProgress. Discover Extraordinary

Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and dowhat’snever-been-done-before.You’llhelp push boundaries, challengeconvention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives?Let’sPursueProgressand DiscoverExtraordinary– together.

At Sanofi, weprovideequal opportunities to all regardless of race,color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.  

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Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.

Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com

Apply now
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Why work with us

  • Expand your horizons. Grow through curiosity, with support to move, learn, and lead in a culture that champions mentorship, mobility, and bold development.

  • Accelerate results with technology. Harness the power of AI and automation to push scientific boundaries and reimagine what's possible in drug discovery.

  • Impact through inclusive innovation. Help deliver better science and fairer outcomes by driving inclusive research that reaches more people, in more meaningful ways.

  • Turn patient needs into breakthrough science. Drive scientific breakthroughs that start with patient needs – and end in treatments that change lives.

Meet Nils Libert, Associate Scientist

Meet Nils Libert, an Associate Scientist in Belgium, where he plays a key role in advancing groundbreaking research. Learn how his work helps drive innovation, uncover new scientific possibilities, and contribute to life-changing treatments that impact patients around the world.

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"At Sanofi, we are building an R&D engine powered by the best science, digital innovation, and a commitment to transforming the lives of patients around the world."

Houman Ashrafian

EVP & Head of R&D

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Discover how we're reshaping the future of medicine through immunoscience – unlocking bold, cross-disease breakthroughs that were unimaginable just a decade ago.

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