Job title: Scientist Organic Chemist, Process Chemistry

• Location: Montpellier, France

About the job

We are seeking a talented and motivated bench-level Organic Chemist to join our Synthetic Enabling Technologies team within the Process Chemistry organization. This Scientist role is hands-on and laboratory-focused, requiring deep expertise in organic and process chemistry, along with strong skills in rapid reaction optimization to enable efficient scale-up from lab bench to chemical plant.

The ideal candidate will have strong interest in laboratory automation and will play a key role in developing and optimizing synthetic routes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). You will contribute to a variety of challenging and diverse projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance drug candidates from early development through clinical trials and into commercial manufacturing.

Your work will directly accelerate candidate selection and early clinical supply, making a tangible impact on the success of our pipeline. Ready to get started?

About Sanofi:

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main responsibilities:

• Plan and conduct organic synthesis experiments and chemical reactions in the laboratory
• Design, develop, and optimize synthetic routes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) using the right technology to allow smooth and rapid scale up to pilot-scale operations
• Perform chemical analyses and compound characterization using a range of online/offline analytical techniques
• Support technology transfer to manufacturing sites, fostering innovation and continuous improvement in synthetic methodologies
• Troubleshoot technical issues at the interface of chemistry and manufacturing, providing effective solutions
• Serve as the primary technical contact within the team, anticipating challenges and implementing proactive measures
• Oversee and ensure the proper maintenance and operational readiness of specific scientific equipment
• Communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively to multidisciplinary audiences and stakeholders
• Mentor junior scientists and offer technical leadership and guidance
• Document all experimental work and continuous improvement efforts in a digital lab notebook and compile findings into comprehensive technical reports

About you

• Experience: Proven experience in synthetic organic chemistry and process development. Demonstrated ability to translate laboratory processes to pilot/industrial scale. Experienced in working on different types of chemical modalities ie small molecules, peptides, lipids. Ideally, experiences in rapid extrapolation of chemical processes in early-phase process development for small molecules (pharma or biotech preferred) & with automation platforms and digital tools for reaction monitoring and control
• Soft and technical skills: Organic Chemistry & Synthesis: designing and executing synthetic routes, understanding reaction mechanisms, Troubleshooting chemical processes. Analytical Skills: chemical analysis techniques, chromatography (HPLC, GC), spectroscopy (NMR, MS, IR), data interpretation. Strong data management and analysis skills. Technical Problem-Solving: process troubleshooting, root cause analysis, risk assessment, Solution development. Experience with digital lab notebooks, chemoinformatics, or reaction databases. Excellent communication and teamwork skills; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment
• Education: MSc in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or related field, with a strong academic record and proven expertise in synthetic organic chemistry
• Languages: English, French, both fluent

Why choose us?

• Drive innovation at the intersection of chemistry, digital science, and robotics
• Accelerate the path from discovery to clinic for life-changing medicines
• Collaborate with leading scientists, engineers, and digital experts
• Access to state-of-the-art AI, automation, and robotics platforms
• Accelerate your professional development with structured career paths designed for both scientific and leadership advancement. Grow in ways you never imagined through bold moves that stretch your potential, cross moves into other business areas, and short-term gigs that build your scientific expertise
• Join a workplace where diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core, with Employee Resource Groups and leadership programs that celebrate every voice
• Achieve genuine work-life balance in a supportive R&D environment
• Enjoy outstanding benefits, including flexible working options, comprehensive healthcare, and well-being programs designed to help you thrive

Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.

Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.