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Job Description:

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for a Master thesis project, located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
 

Background

Biotherapeutic drug products are largely manufactured using established batch processes, supported by in-process controls and release testing to confirm product quality. Some visual quality attributes, including color of solution, are still commonly assessed using offline manual or reference-based approaches, creating an opportunity for more objective and data-driven analytical methods.

To support Johnson & Johnson’s evolving biotherapeutics portfolio, MSAT Emerging Technologies is exploring optical measurement approaches that can strengthen Process Analytical Technology (PAT) strategies and support future use across established and intensified manufacturing concepts.

This master thesis will focus on developing a variable pathlength-based approach for color of solution assessment, including method feasibility, experimental data generation, comparison against reference methods, and evaluation of practical implementation considerations including building data orchestrations.

Objective

The objective of this master thesis is to perform proof-of-concept work to assess the color of biotherapeutic solutions using variable pathlength measurement techniques. A key outcome will be the development and characterization of an analytical approach that can support objective, data-driven color assessment, including comparison with established reference or visual methods. Furthermore, the project aims to define the practical measurement range, evaluate method robustness, and assess the potential applicability of the approach for future PAT-enabled process monitoring in both batch and intensified manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute laboratory experiments using variable pathlength measurement techniques.

• Collect and extend experimental data sets for relevant molecules and formulations.

• Develop and evaluate analytical approaches for objective assessment of solution color, considering practical implementation in batch and intensified manufacturing contexts.

• Build mechanistic understanding of optical responses, including wavelength dependence, matrix effects, concentration effects, and pathlength influences.

• Compare measurement results with established reference or visual color assessment methods.

• Assess robustness against sample variability, measurement artefacts, and practical operating conditions.

• Analyze and visualize data using tools such as Python, MATLAB, Excel, and chemometric or statistical tools.

• Communicate findings in internal presentations, contribute to internal technical documentation and reporting.
   

Qualifications
 

Education:

Enrolled in a Master’s degree programm in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field
 

Experience and Skills:
 

Required:

• Strong interest in spectroscopy, data analysis, and applied experimental work

• Interest in process development, PAT applications, and optical analytical methods

• Basic knowledge of spectroscopic, UV/Vis, or optical measurement techniques; hands-on laboratory experience is a plus

• Experience in modeling and transforming data sets

• Structured, analytical, and comfortable working in a regulated (GxP-aware) environment

• Good communication skills in English

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