Enzymology Senior Scientist - Job Opportunity at Sanofi

Vitry-sur-Seine, France
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 1, 2025
On-site
EUR 65,000 - 85,000 per year based on senior scientist level in pharmaceutical industry in France, with potential for higher compensation given Sanofi's market position and the specialized nature of enzymology expertise

Benefits

Comprehensive high-quality healthcare coverage providing medical security and peace of mind for employees and their families
Prevention and wellness programs demonstrating proactive health management approach beyond standard medical coverage
Minimum 14 weeks gender-neutral parental leave policy showcasing progressive family support that exceeds many industry standards
Thoughtful rewards package designed to recognize contributions and amplify professional impact
International career mobility opportunities enabling global experience and cross-cultural professional development
Structured talent development programs with clear promotion pathways and lateral movement options
Access to cutting-edge research facilities and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment enhancing professional capabilities

Key Responsibilities

Establish comprehensive strategic frameworks for enzyme discovery, screening, and optimization across multiple projects, directly impacting drug development timelines and cost-effectiveness while managing substantial research budgets
Lead cross-functional collaboration in global strain development initiatives, coordinating with analytical laboratories, high-throughput screening teams, and purification specialists to ensure seamless integration of biocatalytic processes
Plan, coordinate, and execute complex laboratory experiments utilizing advanced robotics tools and automation systems, driving efficiency and reproducibility in enzyme research workflows
Develop and implement innovative molecular biology and biochemistry methodologies that advance the organization's technological capabilities and competitive positioning in biocatalysis
Conduct strategic bibliographic and technological surveillance to identify emerging technologies and techniques, ensuring the organization maintains best-in-class research capabilities and market leadership
Analyze, interpret, and present critical research progress and results to multidisciplinary international teams, influencing key decisions in drug development processes
Create comprehensive documentation including electronic lab books, analytical methods, and chemical protocols in English, ensuring knowledge transfer and regulatory compliance
Provide scientific management and guidance to collaborators while contributing to laboratory organization including maintenance, supply management, and health safety compliance

Requirements

Education

PhD in biocatalysis, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology or any related topics or Master degree with proven experience in any of cited topics

Experience

Experience in protein expression and in the use of enzyme in biocatalysis to produce API intermediates

Required Skills

Molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry knowledge Knowledge of microbiology and bacterial fermentation Knowledge of in silico methods for enzyme optimization Knowledge of Machine Learning/Artificial intelligent algorithms Good communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally Molecular biology technics required for the development of enzyme optimization Ability to build and conduct research scientific program related to project of interest Ability to manage the technical monitoring of CRO/CDMO subcontracting
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a significant shift toward sustainable and green chemistry practices, with biocatalysis emerging as a critical technology for reducing environmental impact while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Regulatory bodies increasingly favor eco-designed synthetic routes, making enzyme-based processes essential for future drug manufacturing. This trend is driving substantial investment in enzymology research and creating high demand for specialists who can bridge biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Artificial intelligence and machine learning integration in enzyme optimization represents a rapidly growing field, with computational approaches revolutionizing how enzymes are designed and improved. Companies are increasingly seeking professionals who can combine traditional biochemistry expertise with AI/ML capabilities to accelerate enzyme development timelines and improve success rates in biocatalytic process development. The rise of personalized medicine and complex therapeutic molecules is creating demand for more sophisticated manufacturing processes, with biocatalysis offering unique advantages in producing chiral compounds and complex intermediates that are difficult to synthesize through traditional chemical methods. This trend is particularly strong in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where enzyme specificity and selectivity provide significant manufacturing advantages.

Role Significance

Typically leads a team of 3-5 junior scientists and technicians while coordinating with 10-15 professionals across analytical, screening, and purification functions
Senior-level position with significant strategic responsibility for enzyme discovery programs, requiring independent decision-making on research direction and budget management while leading cross-functional collaborations across international teams

Key Projects

Development of novel biocatalytic routes for complex pharmaceutical intermediates Implementation of AI-driven enzyme optimization platforms Strategic partnerships with contract research organizations for enzyme development Cross-site technology transfer projects for manufacturing scale-up

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry combined with strategic thinking capabilities to translate research findings into scalable manufacturing processes that meet both scientific and business objectives Strong project management skills with ability to balance multiple enzyme development programs simultaneously while maintaining quality standards and meeting aggressive pharmaceutical development timelines Cross-cultural communication and collaboration abilities essential for working effectively with international teams and managing external partnerships with contract research organizations Adaptability to rapidly evolving technological landscape, particularly in AI/ML applications to enzyme optimization, requiring continuous learning and integration of new computational approaches

Market Demand

High demand driven by pharmaceutical industry's transition to sustainable manufacturing processes and increasing adoption of biocatalytic technologies

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Molecular biology and biochemistry expertise forms the technical foundation for all enzyme development work, enabling the design and optimization of biocatalytic processes that meet pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements while ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance Cross-functional communication skills are essential for translating complex scientific concepts to diverse stakeholders including analytical chemists, process engineers, and business leaders, while managing international collaborations that span different time zones and cultural contexts Project management capabilities become critical when coordinating multiple enzyme development programs simultaneously, requiring ability to prioritize resources, manage timelines, and balance competing demands from different therapeutic areas

Beneficial Skills

Machine learning and artificial intelligence knowledge provides significant competitive advantage in enzyme optimization, enabling faster development cycles and higher success rates through computational prediction and design approaches Experience with contract research organization management offers valuable skills for leveraging external capabilities and managing partnerships that are increasingly important in pharmaceutical R&D Knowledge of bacterial fermentation and bioprocess development provides broader perspective on manufacturing scale-up challenges and opportunities for process optimization

Unique Aspects

Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with traditional enzymology represents cutting-edge approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing that positions this role at the forefront of industry innovation
Focus on eco-designed synthetic processes aligns with global sustainability trends and regulatory requirements, offering opportunity to contribute to environmentally responsible pharmaceutical manufacturing
Access to state-of-the-art robotics and automation tools provides exposure to advanced laboratory technologies that enhance both efficiency and research capabilities
International scope of collaboration across Sanofi's global network offers unique exposure to diverse markets and regulatory environments

Career Growth

Progression to principal scientist level typically occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated project leadership success and technical innovation

Potential Next Roles

Principal Scientist or Research Director positions leading larger enzyme biology programs Technical Lead roles in process development and manufacturing scale-up Business development positions focusing on biocatalysis partnerships and licensing Academic positions combining industry experience with research leadership

Company Overview

Sanofi

Sanofi is a multinational pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in France, ranking among the world's largest pharmaceutical companies with significant presence in vaccines, rare diseases, and consumer healthcare. The company has established itself as a leader in innovative drug development with substantial investment in research and development across multiple therapeutic areas.

Global pharmaceutical leader with strong market position in Europe and emerging markets, known for innovative research capabilities and comprehensive drug development infrastructure
This Vitry-sur-Seine location represents a key European research and development hub with significant investment in sustainable manufacturing technologies and green chemistry initiatives
International collaborative environment emphasizing scientific excellence, diversity and inclusion, with strong focus on sustainable development and environmental responsibility in pharmaceutical manufacturing
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