Gene Therapy Process Sciences Innovation & Partnership Leader

Make your mark for patients.

We’re here because we want to build the future and transform patients’ lives for the better.

At UCB, our people are our experiences and achievements, our passion and drive. That’s why we’re looking for talented individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences - not just the best and brightest, but those who care about making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. We promote an environment of diversity, openness, and respect where people can make valuable contributions.

An exciting journey lies ahead. Will you join us in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible?

To strengthen our new Gene Therapy Process Sciences Development Department, based in Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium we are looking for a talented individual to fill the position of: Gene Therapy Process Sciences Innovation & Partnership Leader.

The Gene Therapy (GT) Process Sciences Innovation & Partnership Leader will guide the establishment and improvement of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) platforms. He/she will also help the Upstream, Downstream and Drug Product Process Sciences Development teams to translate those processes through internal and external development and manufacturing partnerships.

This role will be a key point of contact for the interface of the GT Process Sciences Development team and our networkof multi-national internal and external process development and clinical manufacturing activities. This includes supporting program teams to define work scope and to ensure execution to plan for UCB’s external Gene Therapy process development and manufacturing needs.

He/she will also help to promote a culture of innovation in the GT Process Sciences Development team and will be accountable for establishment, documentation, and evolution of the UCB rAAV platform production process in collaboration with the GT Process Sciences Development teams.

The Gene Therapy Process Sciences Innovation & Partnership Leader will function primarily remotely during the design and build of the new Gene Therapy laboratories and then will move onsite to support facility startup.

You will more precisely contribute by:

• 
  Coordinating contract development and manufacturing work statements and operational execution in collaboration with Program teams, Alliance Management, Quality, Regulatory & Process Engineering teams.
• Developing relationships with key product and service providers to support UCB’s Gene Therapy Portfolio.
• Tracking, reporting and ensuring on time, in full delivery of GT Process Sciences Development external activities.
• Defining and document UCB’s GT Process Platform Technologies.
• Promoting a culture of innovation in the GT Process Sciences Development and UCB GT Program teams.
• Supporting process development teams from pre-clinical through commercial-stage development as required to deliver UCB’s Gene Therapy Portfolio.

Interested? For this position you’ll need the following education, experience and skills:

• PhD (Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biology, Biochemistry, Virology, or related fields) with 5+ years of experience.
• Strong knowledges in Biologics Process Sciences Development including:
• Upstream – flasks, stirred tank bioreactors, perfusion, primary clarification.
• Downstream – chromatography, filtration (normal/tangential flow).
• In depth understanding of technology transfer approaches for internal manufacturing and CDMOs.
• Demonstrated experience in operating in a highly matrixed environment to deliver project/program goals.
• Experience with cGMP manufacturing principles, biologics regulatory guidances, and technical investigations including root cause analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate and maintain good working relationship with internal and external customers.
• Very good command in English & French (both written and spoken).

Why you should apply
At UCB, we strive to attract passionate and outstanding talents who thrive on change and are ready to bring real value to patients. Working for us you’ll discover a place where you can grow and express your full potential. We place an emphasis on innovation, collaboration and impact. Through meaningful recognition and a motivating work atmosphere, we aim to provide an optimal experience by caring about and valuing our employees – just as we do for the patients we serve.

If you believe you are the perfect match to join us on our pioneering adventure, then we invite you to apply and tell us more about your profile and motivation.

About us.

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are around 7,600 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

At UCB, everything we do start with a simple question: “How will this create value for people living with severe disease?”. We are on a journey to become the patient-preferred biopharma leader by delivering medicines and solutions that improve lives. We want to ensure the creation of patient value, now and into the future, while contributing to a society where a population of 8 billion people and more should be able to live a good life within limited resources of one planet.

UCB and its subsidiaries encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race/color/religion/sex/national origin/veteran/disability/age/sexual orientation/gender identity.