R&D Project Manager

NATIX S.A. (belonging itself to the highly successful Belgian group Floridienne) gathers the Life Sciences activities & specializes in the extraction and purification of natural bio-active products with high added value for innovative and worldwide applications in pharma, food & beverage, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and feed and pet food sectors . Our main compounds are plant and animal derived enzymes, and other natural ingredients specialties like snail extract and essential oils.

Our Mission is improving human well living by creating effective & innovative solutions, valorizing what nature offers and contributing to a more sustainable world.

Our Vision is to harvest unique, bioactive compounds from nature to provide consistent & sustainable effective ingredients, allowing our partners in health, nutrition, and cosmetics to improve people's lives.

Your Mission

For facing the development of our activities, you will join our existing R&D teams as R&D Project Manager. You will act as both a structured project leader and an operational scientist within our innovation team.

You will take ownership of R&D projects from early scientific exploration through experimental validation to business valorization.

A distinctive aspect of this role is its strong experimental dimension: up to 40% of your time will be dedicated to hands-on laboratory work, including experimental design, protocol execution, data generation and interpretation.

This position is intended for a scientist who values remaining technically and experimentally involved as part of their long-term professional development.

Your Roles

1. From Scientific Hypothesis to Project Structuring

• Translate ideas into clear scientific hypothesesis
• Define experimental strategies and structured project roadmaps
• Establish work packages, milestones, deliverables, and resource planning
• Identify scientific, technical, and operational risks
• Anticipate regulatory and IP aspects
• Align scientific objectives with business needs

2. Experimental Execution & Scientific Problem-Solving

• Plan and coordinate experimental activities
• Design and perform laboratory experiments (extraction, separation, purification)
• Apply and interpret associated analytical techniques
• Ensure traceability, robustness, and reliability of generated data
• Critically analyze results and refine experimental strategies
• Contribute directly to solving complex scientific challenges
• Coordinate with internal departments (Quality, Regulatory, Production)
• Collaborate with external partners (CROs, academic labs, industrial partners) for specialized analyses

3. From Results to Impact

• Consolidate and document scientific findings
• Contribute to innovation strategy and development of new products or technologies
• Provide scientific input to marketing and sales teams
• Support Natix's positioning as a credible and innovation-driven scientific partner

What You Bring

You are a T-shaped Scientist:

• A broad understanding across life sciences, chemistry, and industrial applications
• A capacity to dig till the necessary level of details & facts
• Solid hands-on laboratory experience and the ability to design and interpret experiments with rigor

You enjoy remaining operationally involved in laboratory work while progressively strengthening your project coordination capabilities.

Education

Master's degree (or equivalent) in:

• Bioengineering (Chemistry / Bio-industries, Biotechnology)
• Industrial Engineering (Biochemistry, Bioproduction)
• Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Experience

• 3 to 6 years of professional experience in an industrial or applied R&D environment. This role is particularly suited for a scientist in the early to mid-stage of their career who wishes to combine technical development with growing project leadership responsibilities
• Meaningful contribution to structured R&D projects
• Demonstrated hands-on laboratory practice, including experimental planning and data analysis

Key Competencies

• Analytical and critical thinking
• Structured and organized project approach
• Scientific rigor and problem-solving mindset
• Clear written and oral communication
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary and regulated environments
• Fluent English (working language); French is a strong asset
• Driver Licence B and realistic commuting time for regular on-site presence in Villers-le-Bouillet

Work Environment and Conditions

• Full-time position: 39 hours per week (office hours), Monday to Friday.
• Salary package aligned with market standards including lunch vouchers, pension and hospitalization insurance, and company car according to our car policy based on TCO budget (B segment) .
• In addition to legal holidays, you benefit from 6 extra paid leave days per full calendar year (working time reduction scheme).
• An additional seniority leave day is granted every 5 years of service (maximum 5 extra days).
• Our work organization is hybrid. Due to the operational laboratory dimension of this role, a minimum on-site presence of 3 days per week in Villers-le-Bouillet is required.
• Occasional international travel is required for plant-related projects, customer technical meetings, and participation to selected international scientific or industry events each year.

Application Process

Apply through LinkedIn

• Your CV
• A personalized motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining:

• What specifically attracts you to this R&D Project Manager role at Natix
• Why you are motivated by a position combining hands-on laboratory work (up to 40%) and structured project management
• How your background reflects a T-shaped scientific profile

Both CV and motivation letter may be sent by e-mail: recruitment@natix.life

Please refer explicitly to at least one aspect of Natix's activities, technologies, or product portfolio in your letter.

• Applications will be analysed by our HR department from 16/03/2026 and selected candidates be contacted for a first interview by Teams
• The shortlisted candidates will be invited on site to meet our Head of R&D and Business innovation

We carefully review applications demonstrating a clear understanding of our scientific and business environment. Applications that do not include both a CV and a personalized motivation letter aligned with the above points may not be considered in the selection process.

Please don't try to bypass the process by contacting directly Natix employees.

We are committed to a swift, efficient, and fair process, ensuring full confidentiality and equal opportunity for all applicants.