Scientist - Global Pathogen Safety (Biologics / Plasma)

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Eurofins is seeking a Scientist (Pathogen Safety) to join its PSS team on site with a leading global biopharma in Bern, focusing on viral safety in an industry setting. You will provide technical support on adventitious agents, lead risk assessments, and help develop containment and testing strategies while collaborating with TechOps, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Manufacturing. The role requires 3 to 5 years in R&D, Quality or related pharma/biotech functions, a Master or PhD in life sciences, and ideally GxP experience. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, report writing, SOP creation, and the ability to work across time zones. To apply, tailor your resume to emphasize pathogen safety expertise, cross-functional impact, and on-site experience; English is essential, German is a plus.

Company Description

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company that offers customers from various industries a unique range of analytical services to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat to the water you drink to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins works with the world's largest companies to ensure the products delivered are safe, theirs Ingredients are authentic and labeling is accurate. The company is a leading global provider of analytics for food, environmental, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products as well as contract research (CRO) services.

Eurofins has more than 950+ laboratories within its global network, employing over 65’000 staff.

Eurofins Professional Scientific Service® (PSS) is a global insourcing solution for our customers. Together with the customer, we define a project for the required services that our Eurofins employees should provide at the customer's location. During the ongoing project, the responsibility for project management, the previously defined laboratory services and the deployment of our employees in this project lies with Eurofins PSS.

Job Description

We are currently seeking a Scientist (Pathogen Safety) to join our PSS team, supporting a leading global biopharmaceutical company in Bern through our on-site managed service. In this role, you will be fully embedded within the client environment, contributing to critical pathogen safety activities as part of our dedicated PSS team.

This is a purely industry-focused role in viral safety. It is not a basic research or academic laboratory position.

Your main responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Provide technical and execution support related to pathogen safety topics, including control strategies of adventitious agents such as viruses and prions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with stakeholders (e.g. TechOps, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Manufacturing, Quality), contributing scientific insights, analyses, and recommendations
• Plan and execute scientific pathogen safety risk assessments for changes, deviations, and investigations, as well as evaluations of contamination control strategies, material safety, testing approaches, and emerging pathogen risks
• Prepare and review pathogen safety documentation, including technical reports and audit or inspection support materials, ensuring clear, compliant, and well-structured presentation of scientific results in line with regulatory expectations
• Support R&D and lifecycle management projects through scientific input to virus validation study design, development and optimization of virus clearance strategies, and Quality by Design elements, including preparation of regulatory submission content
• Conduct literature research and summarize relevant scientific and regulatory developments to support decision-making and ongoing risk evaluations
• Writing and implementation of SOPs, work instructions, and training materials
• Execute activities in a global environment across time zones in alignment with defined priorities and established project forums and governance frameworks

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in Life Sciences (e.g. Virology, Biochemistry, Biology, or related field)
• 3–5 years of experience in R&D, Quality, or a related function within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry
• Ideally prior GxP experience, e.g. with deviation and change assessments
• Strong scientific and analytical expertise in virology, biochemistry and/or microbiology
• Ability to independently analyze and solve complex scientific problems
• Sound knowledge of pathogen safety principles in biologics (desired)
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work in cross-functional and international teams
• Flexibility to participate in global meetings across time zones
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; German is an advantage
• Important: Candidates with primarily academic/basic science backgrounds and no industrial exposure will not be considered.

Additional Information

Company Culture

At Eurofins PSS, our company culture is deeply rooted in our four core values: Teamwork, Integrity, Superlative Customer Satisfaction, and Productivity. We believe in fostering a collaborative environment where every team member is encouraged to contribute their unique expertise and ideas. Our commitment to integrity drives us to uphold the highest ethical standards in all our endeavors. We strive for superlative customer satisfaction by understanding and exceeding our clients' expectations. Embracing productivity, we continuously seek innovative ways to streamline processes and deliver exceptional results. Together, these values form the foundation of a supportive and empowering workplace, enabling us to achieve excellence in everything we do.

Opportunities for Growth

As part of our commitment to employee development, we offer abundant growth opportunities at Eurofins PSS. You'll have access to learning and development programs, coaching & mentorship, and the chance to take on challenging projects, empowering you to achieve your professional aspirations.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Eurofins PSS, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, embracing diversity, and cultivating an inclusive workplace where every individual's unique background and perspective are valued, respected, and celebrated.

Please note that as per Eurofins policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters were engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Eurofins will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.