Expert R&D Automation and Data Management (m/f/d)

html Expert R&D Automation and Data Management (m/f/d)

Become part of a vital chain and contribute to our common goal of making people’s lives better. Octapharma is one of the largest human protein manufacturers in the world, developing and producing medicines sourced from human plasma and human cell lines. We are a privately-owned company, where the warmth of family meets the scale of a global organisation.

Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH with more than 200 employees is a subsidiary of the Octapharma group founded in 1997 and successfully expanding. Our core business is the development of recombinant proteins produced in human cell lines for therapeutic use in humans. We strive for effective treatments with an improved tolerability and convenience for our patients.

Join us in shaping our vision to provide new health solutions advancing human life.

We are looking for an

Expert R&D Automation and Data Management (m/f/d)

to join the Automation and Data Management unit within the Research and Development Department at Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH.

The Automation and Data Management unit is responsible for the development, evaluation and long-term maintenance of automation- and data-driven solutions across R&D. The unit supports scientific projects by combining laboratory automation, data management, bioinformatics and scientific computing, and is involved in the work of multiple research units and virtually all projects within the department.

The successful candidate will take on a challenging and versatile role with a strong focus on scientific computing, molecular modelling and high-performance computing (HPC). The position combines the application of computational methods to biological research questions with hands-on responsibility for the administration and strategic development of on-site Linux-based HPC infrastructure. Working closely with interdisciplinary research teams from all R&D units and Corporate IT, the candidate will ensure reliable and secure HPC operations while developing computational solutions to support scientific research. The role also includes contributions to internal data science and machine learning projects, with opportunities to develop expertise in new scientific and technical areas.

Your main tasks and responsibilities

• Development and application of molecular modelling approaches and molecular dynamics simulations to support scientific research, including protein characterization and developability studies
• Administration, maintenance, optimization and strategic development of a Linux-based HPC infrastructure, including workload management and operational reliability
• Development and maintenance of scripts and robust, reproducible, scalable workflows for scientific data processing, modelling and analysis, including testing and documentation
• Contribution to internal data science and machine learning projects, including the evaluation and application of new computational approaches
• Scientific and technical support of interdisciplinary research teams, translating research requirements into suitable computational solutions
• Contribution to the integration and further development of data management, scientific computing and laboratory automation workflows

Your expertise and ideal skill set

• PhD in Life Sciences with a strong focus on Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biophysics or a related scientific discipline; postdoctoral experience is considered a plus. Candidates with an M.Sc. and extensive, highly relevant professional experience may also be considered
• Practical experience in molecular modelling and molecular dynamics simulations of biological systems; hands-on experience with Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) is highly desirable
• Strong programming skills in Python, particularly in scientific computing, data processing and analysis
• Proven experience administering Linux-based HPC or cluster environments, including SLURM or comparable workload management systems, with a sound understanding of performance optimization and the ability to troubleshoot independently
• Experience in planning, extending or optimizing scientific computing infrastructure is considered a plus
• Experience in laboratory automation or the integration of automated laboratory systems with data processing workflows is considered a plus
• Interest in machine learning and willingness to explore new scientific and technical topics
• Experience with electronic laboratory management systems, such as ELN, LIMS or sample management solutions (e.g. Benchling or comparable platforms), is considered a plus
• Practical experience with version control systems and workflow automation (CI/CD); familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is considered a plus
• Independent and structured working style, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and excellent communication and collaboration skills in an interdisciplinary environment
• Fluent English skills; a good command of German is considered a plus

Thrive with us

• A permanent position in full-time (40 hrs./week) in a dynamically growing company
• A modern, "state of the art" working environment
• Flexible working hours
• Regular opportunities for further training
• 30 days vacation
• Own company restaurant with subsidies
• Free drinks such as coffee, tea and water
• Job ticket or parking space for bicycle or car
• An international team in an international corporate environment
• A collegial environment with many opportunities for activities

About Octapharma

Octapharma is one of the largest human protein manufacturers in the world, developing and producing human proteins from human plasma and human cell lines. We employ more than 11,000 people worldwide to support the treatment of patients in 120 countries with products across three therapeutic areas: Immunotherapy, Haematology and Critical Care.

With seven R&D sites and five