MSAT Assistant Scientist
Temporary Contract – 12 Months
For the Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine manufacturing site in Latina (Italy), we are looking for an MSAT Assistant Scientist to join the Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT) Department.
The successful candidate will operate in a highly cross-functional environment, supporting projects related to new product introductions, manufacturing process improvements, compliance and inspection readiness activities, sustainability initiatives, operational excellence programs, and the implementation of innovative technologies.
While cleaning validation represents a key area of responsibility, the role extends well beyond validation execution and requires a project management mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to drive collaboration across multiple functions.
The role is primarily focused on project coordination, stakeholder management, process improvement, and business manufacturing/packaging initiatives.
Success in this role requires the ability to manage projects, influence stakeholders, solve complex problems, and effectively communicate with teams across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and external partners.
Main Responsibilities
•Coordinate and drive cleaning validation projects supporting New Product Introductions (NPI), Life Cycle Management (LCM), and Base Business activities.
•Plan, monitor, and drive project execution by coordinating activities across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and external partners.
•Manage change controls and support impact assessments related to new products, process improvements, and manufacturing changes.
•Review technical documentation, including validation protocols, reports, risk assessments, and project records.
•Facilitate project meetings, support decision-making processes, and ensure effective communication among stakeholders.
•Support investigations, root cause analysis, and risk assessments related to manufacturing and validation activities.
•Drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives through the evaluation and implementation of new cleaning technologies, digital solutions, process optimization opportunities, and operational excellence projects.
•Contribute to sustainability, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and Continuous Improvement Programs (CIP) aimed at improving manufacturing performance, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing site efficiency.
•Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, supporting technical discussions and project execution from concept to implementation.
•Support regulatory inspections, customer audits, and compliance-related activities, contributing to the maintenance of high quality and GMP standards.
•Identify and promote innovative solutions that improve compliance, quality, efficiency, sustainability, and overall business performance.
Qualifications
Required:
•Master's Degree in Engineering, Pharmacy, Chemistry, CTF, Biotechnology, or related scientific disciplines.
•Fluent Italian and English is mandatory (written and spoken).
•Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills.
•Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
•Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional manufacturing environment.
•Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under tight timelines.
•Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
•High learning agility and willingness to rapidly acquire new technical competencies.
•Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
•Strong understanding of GMP compliance and inspection readiness principles, with the ability to support regulatory inspections, customer audits, internal quality audits, impact assessments, investigations, change management activities, corrective actions, and quality improvement initiatives.
Preferred:
•Previous experience in project management activities within MSAT, Cleaning Validation, Process Validation, Technology Transfer, Manufacturing Support, Continuous Improvement, or related pharmaceutical technical functions will be considered a strong plus.
•Experience in GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.
•Working knowledge of SAP, COMET, eLIMS, Power BI, or similar digital tools.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a proactive, energetic, and highly motivated professional eager to learn, grow, and make an impact in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
The ideal candidate enjoys coordinating projects, interacting with a wide range of stakeholders, and driving improvements across a complex organization. Strong communication skills are essential, as the role requires frequent interaction with operators, engineers, quality professionals, managers, suppliers, customers, and auditors.
The successful candidate will be able to build effective relationships, influence decisions, communicate effectively at different organizational levels, and translate opportunities into concrete actions and results.
Why Join MSAT?
This position offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise across manufacturing, project management, compliance, innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement, while supporting the introduction of new products and technologies in a GMP-regulated environment.
You will work at the intersection of Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Compliance, EHS, and Supply Chain, contributing to initiatives that shape the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing and help deliver innovative healthcare solutions to patients worldwide.
Pay and Benefits
The anticipated base pay range for this position is: €30,400.00 - €49,450.00
In addition to base pay, benefits include: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees' and company's performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Also offered: vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, and programs for financial, physical and mental health. Service anniversary and recognition awards are offered, and, subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees — and in some locations eligible dependents — can participate in several insurance plans.
