(Senior) Project Manager/Process Specialist, Drug Substance Manufacturing

Do you have experience with outsourced chemical manufacturing of starting materials, intermediates and APIs? Are you passionate about science-driven development and manufacturing support in collaboration with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs)?

If so, now is your chance to join Ascendis Pharma as our new (Senior) Project Manager or Process Specialist.

Ascendis Pharma is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we are applying our innovative TransCon® technology platform to fulfill our mission of developing new therapies that demonstrate best-in-class potential to address unmet medical needs.

At our headquarters in Hellerup, Denmark, research facilities in Heidelberg, Germany, and additional offices across Europe and the United States, we are advancing programs in our Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology portfolios. We also collaborate with partners on the development of TransCon-based products in other therapeutic areas and markets.

We are seeking a skilled project manager/specialist to join our growing team. As a key member of the Ascendis Pharma team, you will play a crucial role in our team for commercial chemical manufacturing for projects having reached the stage of process qualification and commercial manufacturing. The manufacturing processes comprise peptide synthesis, peptide conjugation and purification and classic organic chemistry for small molecules and polymers. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment, collaborate with cross-functional, global teams working together to achieve extraordinary results.

You will be joining the Chemical Manufacturing team consisting of 6 colleagues, and report directly to Birgitte M. Malle, Senior Directorwho is based in Hellerup. You will be based in Hellerup.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Manage and coordinate outsourced commercial manufacture of peptides, chemical starting materials, intermediates and APIs including technology transfer, process validation (PPQ), post PPQ optimizations, risk management, control strategies and continuous process verification programs (CPV)
• Trouble shooting in collaboration with CMO’s including Deviation and Change management as subject matter expert
• Support master batch record update and release of batches together with QA
• Write and support regulatory submissions for marketing approval and post-approval

Qualifications and Skills:

You hold a relevant academic degree – preferably a Master of Science or a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, peptide synthesis, chemical engineering or equivalent – and have at least 5 years of experience within pharmaceutical development or manufacturing industry.

Furthermore, you have:

• Relevant hands-on experience from laboratory, pilot and/or manufacturing facilities
• GMP experience
• Proficient English professional skills
• MS Office skills including experience with SAS JMP or other data management tools

Key competencies:

You are a strong team player, have attention to details, and have a can-do attitude.

You possess an entrepreneurial mindset and can thrive in an informal, open environment where innovation and change are key.  

To succeed in this role, we also expect you to be a highly motivated individual who enjoys being challenged and working in collaborative environments. Strong interpersonal skills are necessary as your job is to establish and maintain good and productive collaboration with CMO’s. A proven ability to communicate with stakeholders of other functions and disciplines is crucial.

Travel: up to 10-15 days per year.

Office: Tuborg Boulevard 12, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark

Apply now.

We evaluate applications when received, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that we conduct interviews on a rolling basis and reserve the right to remove the job posting at any time.   

To ensure your application is reviewed, please submit it through the specified platform - applications sent by email or other channels will not be evaluated. 

For more details about the position or the company, please contact Senior Director for Chemical Manufacturing, Birgitte M. Malle, [email protected]

You can learn more about Ascendis by visiting our website www.ascendispharma.com

Applications must be submitted in English and will be treated confidentially.

A note to recruiters:

We do not allow external search party solicitation.  Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma HR team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed.  If this occurs, your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.