Title: Lab Automation Engineer  Specialist

Location: Ghent-BE  

Work Arrangements: Hybrid (4 days on site, 1 day home office) 

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. 

Join Sanofi R&D, the engine of Sanofi’s mission — where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI-powered research. 

About The Job 

Join Sanofi R&D in Ghent as Lab Automation Engineer/Scientist to strengthen and expand our Automation & Data workflow team within STREAM (Scientific Team for Research Excellence and Automation Management). In this role, you will contribute to the development of high-throughput end-to-end automated workflows integrating state-of-the-art equipment. You will directly support the acceleration of R&D projects by applying your expertise in automation to the screening and characterization workflows supporting NANOBODY® lead candidates across our Discovery and Pharmaceutical Research & Technology (PRT) departments. These activities will support the pre-clinical development of NANOBODY® molecules in different therapeutic areas (e.g. immuno-oncology, immunology, rare and neuro disease, etc.). 
 
About Our Team 
 
Sanofi Ghent is a biopharmaceutical site dedicated to creating new antibody-based therapeutics called NANOBODY® molecules which are making a real difference to society. The Ghent site currently has around 400 people working on the discovery and pharmaceutical development of NANOBODY® molecules for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. 

 
You will become a member of the STREAM Automation & Data Workflow team — an enthusiastic, international and collaborative team that values knowledge-sharing and works closely with scientists across the Discovery and PRT departments. 

Main Responsibilities 

Automation Development & Support 

• Developing and maintaining automation scripts for liquid handling platforms (Hamilton Venus, Tecan Fluent/Evo) 

• Designing workflow orchestration of integrated equipment using Venus, PlateButler or other scheduling software 

• Setting up fully automated high-throughput processes across Discovery and PRT departments 

• Supporting robotic platform installations, commissioning, maintenance and validation activities in collaboration within the Sanofi network and with external engineering companies 

• Independently designing and executing automated experiments 

• Assisting in troubleshooting automation equipment and resolving technical issues 

• Contributing to automation run planning and coordination across departments 

Process Improvement & Documentation 

• Supporting standardization efforts for automation workflows across the site 

• Maintaining comprehensive documentation for automation methods and procedures 

• Participating in knowledge transfer sessions and cross-departmental collaboration, building out the local-to-global automation hub 

• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives for automation processes 

• Provide training and guidance to personnel regarding automation protocol development and execution. 

Digital Integration & Innovation 

• Assist in connecting automation platforms to digital data systems (ELN, LIMS, databases) 

• Support end-to-end workflow development from sample preparation to data capture 

• Contribute to custom tooling development, including 3D modeling and printing projects 

• Keeping up with latest developments in the field of lab automation and evaluating implementation of new technologies. 

• Leveraging digital tools and AI to solve problems 

About You 

• Degree of B.Sc. with ≥3 years of relevant experience or M.Sc. with ≥2 years relevant experience (degree should be in engineering, bioengineering, computer science or applied science field) 

• Programming expertise with one or more programming languages such as Python, R, is required 

• Programming expertise with one or more commercial liquid handlers is highly desired, such as TECAN EvoWare, TECAN Fluent Control, Synthace, Hamilton Venus or equivalent 

• Hands-on experience with robotic systems and laboratory instrumentation  

• Experience in transforming laboratory protocols into automated high-throughput protocols is preferred 

• Experience in integration of equipment into fully automated systems, including equipment data connectivity solutions to enable automated data transfer between instruments and Laboratory Information Management Systems (eg Benchling) and advanced robotic handling is preferred 

• Knowledge of 3D modeling software and additive manufacturing is a plus 

• Proficiency with digital tools for everyday collaborative work 

• Demonstrate proficiency in digital laboratory tools including Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) such as Benchling, Genedata Biologics and data analysis software 

• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills 

• A pro-active approach and high sense for quality, accuracy, and detail 

• A team-oriented attitude, flexibility, enthusiasm, and ability to work independently 

• Verbal and written fluency in English with ability to report and discuss experimental design and data 

• Knowledge of AI/ML applications in pharmaceutical research and digital collaboration platforms is advantageous 

• Experience in data processing and visualization using Spotfire / Power BI is preferred 

• Experience with scheduler software for automated platforms is preferred 

• Experience with safety requirements related to high-throughput equipment and end-to-end integrated automation workflows 

Why choose us? 

• Help improve the lives of millions of people globally by making drug development quicker and more effective.   

• Join a workplace where diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core, with Employee Resource Groups and leadership programs that celebrate every voice.  

• Shape the future of the NANOBODY® and Microbial Platforms by helping to develop new drugs and by continuous platform improvement. 

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. 

#LI-EUR 

#LI-HYBRID