Principal Scientist – Extractables & Leachables (E&L) (x|f|m)

Principal Scientist – Extractables & Leachables (E&L)

We are looking for a Principal Scientist – Extractables & Leachables (E&L) or the PD Science and Testing FMT department at Sartorius. The Principal Scientist is a globally recognized technical expert responsible for shaping and executing Sartorius’ E&L strategy across products, services, and scientific positioning.

Preferred location: Göttingen (Germany). Alternatively, this position can be based at other Sartorius sites across Europe, including France, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Spain.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the strategy of the Extractables & Leachables technology area in alignment with Product and Technology Roadmaps to influence business direction.
• Drive the evolution of science‑based and proactive E&L approaches, moving beyond reactive compliance and reducing experimental burden through predictive methodologies.
• Develop and advance mechanistic and data‑driven E&L methodologies, including predictive models and integration of toxicological data into risk and safety frameworks.
• Evaluate emerging industry trends, regulatory developments, and state‑of‑the‑art technologies to identify innovation opportunities and guide scientific direction.
• Act as internal and external Key Opinion Leader, contributing to industry consortia, regulatory initiatives, scientific publications, and conference presentations.
• Lead high‑level technical discussions with customers and contribute to product qualification strategies, ensuring strong customer value creation and differentiation.
• Build and leverage internal and external networks while coaching and mentoring scientists and ensuring knowledge transfer across teams and functions.

Qualifications

• PhD with at least 10 years of experience or Master’s degree with at least 12 years of experience.
• Recognized global expert in Extractables & Leachables, materials science, or a related field with a strong track record (e.g., publications, patents, presentations).
• Deep expertise in E&L science, polymer or material chemistry and/or biopharmaceutical processes, and toxicological and safety assessment concepts.
• Strong understanding of GMP and pharmaceutical regulatory requirements, as well as biopharma manufacturing processes and single‑use system applications.
• Proven experience in modeling, data‑driven approaches, or digital tools and the ability to translate science into business impact.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across diverse stakeholders, combined with strong mentoring and relationship‑building capabilities.
• Exceptional problem‑solving and decision‑making skills in complex environments and a high level of autonomy and scientific credibility.
• Fluent English language skills.

Benefits

• Personal and Professional Development: mentoring, leadership programs, talent talks, internal seminars, coaching for managers.
• Work‑life balance: remote options, flextime, flexible schedules, sabbaticals.
• Large, modern campus: open office spaces, terraces, company restaurant with vegetarian and vegan options, cozy Italian bistro with ice cream sales, fitness studio, daycare center.
• Comprehensive onboarding: virtual online platform, welcome workshops, buddy system.
• Travel benefits: car leasing, bike leasing, large parking garage, good bus connections.
• Welcoming culture: mutual support, team spirit, international collaboration, communities (coaching, agile working, business women network).
• We support diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people of all nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ages, disabilities, and cultural backgrounds.