R&D
Where your curiosity drives the
miracles of
science
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
Grade: L3
About the Job
As Mass Spectroscopy Manager/Principal Scientist within our Analytical Sciences team, you'll lead the mass spectrometry laboratory in support of CMC analytical development teams. Ready to get started?
Our analytical group within the synthetic platform of Global CMC Development is striving to become an industry leader in the development of transformative medicines. You'll focus on mass spectrometry characterization for structural characterization and mutagenic/nitrosamine impurities quantitation using HPLC/HRMS and GC/MS as primary techniques, while managing our state-of-the-art mass spectrometry laboratory in Montpellier.
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:
- 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
- Experience:
- Specialist in high-resolution mass spectrometry, experience of at least 10 years,
- Advanced knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices of various aspects of Mass spectrometry for structural analysis and mutagenic/nitrosamine quantification,
- Growing knowledge of principles and concepts in analytical development.
- Sof and technical skills
- Familiarity with high performance equipment (Orbitrap, QTof, Triple Quad, etc.) and spectrometric data processing software (MassLyns, Xcalibur, Chromeleon),
- Expertise in interpreting fragmentation mass spectra (Full scan, MSn),
- GMP and Regulatory (ICH, Pharmacopoeia) knowledge related to mass spectrometry,
- Strong team management with ability to identify and develop scientific activities,
- Ability to implement new approaches to develop team members and activities (IA, Automation). You plan and prioritize resource requirements and allocations within a functional team,
- Clear communication and structured explanation skills for multi-step studies,
- Decisions making capabilities that frequently require developing new options to solve complex problems under High pressure environment and time constraints,
- Internal and external presentation skills with publications and patents experience.
- Education: PhD in Analytical Chemistry
- Languages: Fluent in English, French speaking in writing, reading and presenting
Why choose us?
- Be part of a pioneering biopharma company that engages patients early in drug development and uses their insights to design studies that reflect real-world needs.
- Work at the forefront of drug discovery, harnessing cutting-edge AI, data, and digital platforms to push the boundaries of science.
- Help improve the lives of millions of people globally by making drug development quicker and more effective.
- Enjoy opportunities to collaborate beyond your area of expertise, working with diverse teams across science, clinical, and digital fields to spark new ideas and drive breakthroughs.
- Accelerate your professional development with structured career paths designed for both scientific and leadership advancement. Grow in ways you never imagined through bold moves that stretch your potential, cross moves into other business areas, and short-term gigs that build your scientific expertise.
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
Final compensation will be determined based on demonstrated experience, skills, location, and other relevant factors. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs.
Find out more about this location
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."
Houman Ashrafian
EVP & Head of R&D
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