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Principal / Lead Scientist R&D (m/f/x)

Aachen - Technology & Innovation Center
Full-time
Permanent employee

About LenioBio

At LenioBio, we believe everyone deserves access to better medicines and a healthier future. 
To make this possible, we are transforming how therapeutic proteins are developed and manufactured. Our proprietary ALiCE® technology enables faster, more efficient, and more sustainable protein production, helping bring life-changing medicines to patients around the world. 
We are on an exciting growth journey and are looking for curious, passionate, and entrepreneurial individuals who want to make a meaningful impact. If you're excited about breakthrough science, solving complex challenges, and helping build the future of biomanufacturing, we'd love to hear from you. 
Everything we do starts with our mission: empowering our partners and customers with disruptive technologies that make protein production faster, simpler, more scalable, and more cost-effective. 
ALiCE® is a scalable end-to-end protein expression platform that supports the entire pharmaceutical development pathway, from early discovery and preclinical research through process development and GMP-grade manufacturing. 
Our vision is to unlock the full potential of ALiCE® and accelerate access to innovative protein-based medicines by reducing development timelines, lowering production costs, and expanding manufacturing possibilities worldwide. 

Why Join LenioBio? 
  • Work on cutting-edgebiotechnologywith real-worldimpact.
  • Join a growing and ambitiousteamwhereyourideas matter.
  • Take ownership and helpshape the futuredirection of the company.
  • Collaboratewithtalentedscientists, innovators, and industryexperts.
  • Contribute to a missionthathas the potential to improvehealthcareglobally.

About This Job

At LenioBio, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact in a fast-growing biotech company where scientific innovation and entrepreneurial thinking go hand in hand. We value initiative, encourage new ideas, and empower our teams to take ownership, learn continuously, and help shape the future of our technology. 
We are searching a Lead Scientist acting as the operational scientific leader of the R&D organization and trusted deputy to the Head of R&D/CSO. The role translates scientific strategy into execution, aligns multidisciplinary teams around common objectives, drives scientific excellence, and ensures delivery of R&D milestones. The Lead Scientist combines deep technical expertise with leadership, mentoring, and project execution capabilities. 

What Your Responsibilities Are

  • Shape the scientific future of our platform by acting as a Scientific Lead within R&D. Partner closely with the Department Head and CSO to define research strategies, set priorities, design impactful experiments, interpret complex data, and drive critical scientific decisions.
  • Lead cross-functional projects from concept to impact. Own project planning, execution, milestones, and deliverables while coordinating team members, ensuring alignment, and communicating progress to leadership.
  • Empower and develop others. Coach, mentor, and support fellow scientists to strengthen team capabilities, foster growth, and maximize scientific excellence across the organization.
  • Drive innovation. Design, develop, optimize, and validate robust methods, technologies, and processes that enable breakthrough product development and accelerate innovation.
  • Navigate opportunities and challenges. Proactively identify scientific risks, solve complex problems, and uncover new opportunities that strengthen our technology and competitive advantage.
  • Think beyond your discipline. Contribute strategically across the entire product lifecycle, from early-stage ideation and research through development, scale-up, and production.
  • Help build our culture. Champion a collaborative, hands-on, and solution-oriented mindset where curiosity, ownership, and teamwork drive success.
  • Create an environment of continuous learning. Encourage open dialogue, constructive feedback, knowledge sharing, and a willingness to challenge ideas respectfully in pursuit of better outcomes.

What We're Looking For

You will thrive in this role if you combine deep scientific expertise with strong leadership capabilities and enjoy turning innovative ideas into real-world solutions in a fast-paced biotech environment.

Qualifications & Scientific Expertise

  • PhD in Molecular Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Plant Biology, Biotechnology, or a related life science discipline.
  • Deep scientific expertise in cell-free protein expression, protein biochemistry, molecular biology, DNA engineering, synthetic biology, structural biology, or closely related fields.
  • Strong understanding of downstream process development, process optimization, and yield improvement. Experience withupstreamprocessesis a strong advantage.
  • At least 8 years of industry experience in scientific research, technology development, product development, or process development within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, CDMO, or innovative therapeutics environments.
  • Practical experience developing, executing, and optimizing laboratory methods and workflows in biotechnology or pharmaceutical settings.
  • Strong data analysis, interpretation, and scientific problem-solving capabilities.
  • Experience authoring scientific reports, technical documentation, protocols, and SOPs.

Leadership & Project Management

  • Proven experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams and developing talent through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
  • Demonstrated success managing scientific programs, project portfolios, timelines, milestones, risks, and resources.
  • Strong technical leadership skills with the ability to influence, align, and inspire stakeholders across functions, regardless of reporting lines.
  • Ability to translate scientific complexity into clear recommendations and strategic decisions.

Mindset & Ways of Working

  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and creating impact.
  • Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-growing, and resource-conscious environment where priorities can evolve quickly.
  • Independent, structured, and analytical thinker with strong decision-making capabilities.
  • Motivated by solving complex scientific and technical challenges.
  • Adaptable, resilient, and proactive, with a hands-on approach to achieving results.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and scientific writing skills.
  • Collaborative team player who can work effectively both independently and cross-functionally.

Additional Requirements

  • Professional fluency in English, both written and spoken. German language skills are a plus.
  • Willingness to work primarily on-site close to our laboratories in Aachen. We believe innovation thrives through collaboration and therefore envisage a regular on-site presence, ideally five days per week and no less than three days per week.


You'll be successful in this role if you...

  • Love solving difficult scientific challenges and turning ideas into tangible outcomes.
  • Enjoy combining strategic thinking with hands-on scientific execution.
  • Thrive in collaborative, fast-moving environments where initiative and ownership are valued.
  • Are excited by the opportunity to shape not only projects, but also the future direction of a growing biotech company.
  • Want your work to contribute directly to making innovative medicines more accessible around the world.

What We Offer

  • A permanent, full-time position in Aachen, Germany.
  • The opportunity to shape the future of biomanufacturing. Join a pioneering biotech company that is transforming protein production and helping accelerate access to innovative medicines worldwide.
  • A high-impact role with real ownership. Your scientific expertise, ideas, and decisions will directly influence our technology, projects, and company growth.
  • A dynamic and entrepreneurial environment where innovation is encouraged, initiative is valued, and bureaucracy is kept to a minimum.
  • The chance to work alongside a diverse, international, and highly talented team united by a shared passion for scientific excellence and innovation.
  • Professional and personal growth opportunities in a rapidly expanding organization, with the possibility to broaden your responsibilities and develop your career as the company grows.
  • A competitive compensation package that recognizes your expertise, contribution, and impact.
  • A culture built on collaboration, trust, and continuous learning, where open communication and constructive feedback are encouraged at every level.

Contact us

If you are interested in joining our team please click on "Apply" and upload your documents or send us an e-mail to careers@leniobio.com.

About us

At LenioBio, we're not just a biotechnology company—we're pioneers on a mission to revolutionize how complex proteins are produced, enabling faster, more efficient drug discovery and manufacturing. Our groundbreaking ALiCE technology is redefining the boundaries of what’s possible in protein engineering, enabling the rapid, scalable, and efficient production of complex proteins that are at the forefront of medical innovation. Divided between our headquarters Düsseldorf, Germany, with our innovation hub in Aachen, we’re a dynamic and innovative team committed to pushing the boundaries of science and making a tangible impact on healthcare. 

 

As we continue to grow, we’re focused on expanding ALiCE’s capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the biopharmaceutical industry. We’re looking for passionate, talented individuals to join us on this exciting journey. At LenioBio, you’ll be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued, and your growth is supported. Join us and be a part of something truly groundbreaking.