(Senior) Drug Substance Specialist

Be the new (Senior) Drug Substance Specialist

In a biotech company bonding to discover, design and develop innovative peptide-based medicines.

We are currently seeking an accomplished (Senior) Drug Substance Specialist who is energized by collaborative and fun teamwork, excels in handling complex tasks, and enjoys continuous learning. If this sounds like you, and you are ready to embrace a broad range of responsibilities with an independent mindset, then you are the perfect fit for us.

Your responsibilities will include late-stage drug substance development with a broad range of activities in development projects. Given our collaboration with Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMO), effective coordination with external partners is a significant aspect of this role.  

In this role, you will be a professional anchor and expert in your field, and you will play a key role in driving the late-stage drug substance strategy. You will be empowered to shape the direction and the role generally as well as how you execute it daily. Furthermore, you are not only empowered to, but expected to executive decision-making and take ownership of your area.

You will be joining a highly experienced team consisting of experts within CMC Development. We value a friendly, helpful, and fun atmosphere where we obtain ambitious results together.

Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for Drug Substance late-stage development, technical transfer and up-scale in Development projects
• Manage the collaboration with DS CDMO (follow up on oversight plans and day-to-day communication, and securing transfer of knowledge)
• Support development and technical manufacturing activities at CDMO, including writing and review of documentation, risks assessments and reports
• Active contribution in CMC team, working collaboratively on project progress towards regulatory approval – within Zealand Pharma and with external Partners
• Driving scientific and strategic input to submissions/regulatory interactions in collaboration with Regulatory Affairs, Partners and CDMOs

Candidate Profile

• M.Sc./PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or related field
• Solid experience in the pharmaceutical industry
• Expertise in late-stage process development, scale-up, and preferably process validation (PPQ) of synthetic peptide
• Experience with drug substance outsourcing and CDMO collaboration
• Knowledge of Quality Risk Management (FMEA), GMP, and regulatory requirements in late-stage CMC
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with proven project team experience
• Professional proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Proactive, adaptable, and motivated to take on new challenges with a collaborative mindset

Bonding to innovate ​

Our employees are fundamental to our success, and we continue to be able to attract and retain people with vast experience and talent. We have a unique culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization.​

Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other.​

We bond as a result of our entrepreneurial culture where our people are encouraged to pursue their ideas and turn them into reality. We are curious about each other’s knowledge and expertise. ​

We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Zealand Pharma is a place where everyone is heard and contributes to the success, we all want to experience.​

The Zealand Pharma DNA builds on four values: (1) We are bold, (2) We empower people, (3) We work as one team, and (4) We can be trusted.​

Let’s bond and be bold ​

We offer a combined compensation package which includes a base salary, pension, bonus, and a possibility to join our employee share program. We care about our employees’ well-being and offer health insurance, use of massage, fitness, and a range of social clubs and activities

To find out more about working at Zealand, visit https://www.zealandpharma.com/careers/zealand-as-a-workplace/

Interested? Please apply no later than 5 October 2025, or as soon as possible. The applications will be reviewed as they come in.

For further information, please contact Britt Gren Sjøholm at BSjoholm@zealandpharma.com

About Zealand Pharma A/S

Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq Copenhagen: ZEAL) ("Zealand") is a Danish biotechnology company on a mission to change lives with next generation peptide medicines. In our effort to reach our goals bonding is at the core of everything we do. Let it be discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, engaging with partners or connecting with each other. This has led to more than 10 drug candidates invented by Zealand having advanced into clinical development, of which two have reached the market. Zealand’s current pipeline of internal product candidates focus on specialty gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases. Additionally, the portfolio includes clinical license collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim and pre-clinical license collaboration with Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Zealand is based in Copenhagen (Søborg), Denmark. For further information about the Company's business and activities, please visit www.zealandpharma.com or bond with us through LinkedIn or Twitter @ZealandPharma.