
R&D
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Principal Scientist Mass Spectroscopy Lab
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: Mass Spectroscopy Manager/Principal Scientist
Location: Montpellier
About the Job
We are an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. We’re also a company where you can flourish and grow your career, with countless opportunities to explore, make connections with people, and stretch the limits of what you thought was possible. Ready to get started?
Sanofi is seeking a highly motivated principal scientist in mass spectrometry to join our analytical group. The group is part of the synthetic platform within Global CMC Development that is striving to become an industry leader in the development of transformative medicines.
The primary responsibility of this position is to lead the mass spectrometry laboratory in support to CMC analytical development teams. In this role, you will be responsible for the mass spectrometry characterization for structural characterization and mutagenic and nitrosamine impurities quantitation of synthetic small molecules using HPLC/HRMS and GC/MS as the primary techniques. This position is onsite and is based in Montpellier, France.
Main Responsibilities:
Manage Montpellier mass spectrometry laboratory. Use resources to develop and implement HPLC/HRMS methods for the structural characterization and structural elucidation by interpretation of fragmentation mass spectra, of synthetic small molecules (active principal ingredient, impurities, and degradants) in the context of CMC development projects and analytical expertise. Manage analytical park (UPLC/HRMS and GC/MS) to insure availability of state of the art equipment, maintenance and operational qualification of equipment. Ensure the reliability and traceability of results obtained. Review analytical studies performed by mass spectrometry senior experts. Creation and management of open access MS for chemistry support
Define and implement Sanofi strategy on nitrosamine and mutagenic impurities for Analytical Sciences and CMC development. Analytical expert in nitrosamine/mutagenic quantification by mass spectrometry, in this context develop and validate LC/MS and GC/MS based quantitation methods
Redaction of the documentation on mass spectrometry related to structural elucidation and mutagenic/nitrosamine impurities analysis including clinical and submission dossier. Participate in regulatory audit (GQA/PAI/ANSM...) as mass spectrometry expert
Collaborate closely with colleagues in Analytical Sciences, other CMC teams and project management teams. Participate in the scientific meetings of the different projects to bring its expertise in solving analytical problems. Make presentations within and between departments
Could have to manage projects as Analytical Team lead in Project Team
About you
Skills that you have:
Experience: Specialist in high-resolution mass spectrometry, you have significant experience of at least 10 years. You have advanced knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices of various aspects of Mass spectrometry for structural analysis and mutagenic/nitrosamine quantification and growing knowledge of principles and concepts in analytical development
Education: PhD in Analytical Chemistry
Technical skills
You are familiar with high performance equipment (Orbitrap, QTof, Triple Quad, etc.) and spectrometric data processing software (MassLyns, Xcalibur, Chromeleon) and you are at ease interpreting fragmentation mass spectra (Full scan, MSn)
GMP and Regulatory (ICH, Pharmacopoeia) knowledge related to mass spectrometry
Soft skills
You have a strong experience in team management to identify and develop scientific activities to support operational goals. You implement new approaches to develop team members and activities (IA, Automation). You plan and prioritize resource requirements and allocations within a functional team
Provides clear and structured explanation of multi-step studies to other local functions and to other cross-site functional groups. Supports development of group culture by proactive work delivery and positive attitude for both team and individual assignments
Makes decisions that frequently require developing new options to solve complex problems. Decisions impact project delivery and/or may impact achievement of local group goals
Ability to manage under High pressure environment and time constraints
Presents internally for governance and technical meetings. May have publications, patents, or participate in professional consortia. Increasing visibility externally with presentations and publications
PursueProgress. Discover Extraordinary.
Progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. You can be one of those people. Chasing change, embracing new ideas and exploring all the opportunities we have to offer. Let’s pursue progress. And let’s 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, or gender identity.
Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!
nullPursue 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

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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.

"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."

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EVP & Head of R&D
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