Process Modelling Expert -Spray Drying

FIS Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici is one of the leading CDMO in Europe, located in Italy with three different production sites, with around 2200 employees of which more than 250 within the R&D function. It is a global player facing a strong growth into the development and production of API and advanced intermediates for the custom manufacturing and generics business.

FIS is investing more than €100 million in technological upgrades and capacity expansion, and is currently strengthening its R&D function hiring the:

Within the R&D Department, this position is critical for developing robust, scalable spray-drying processes and ensuring product quality and operational efficiency during technology transfer and commercial manufacturing.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, execute, and validate CFD models (e.g., multiphase flows, particle dynamics, heat/mass transfer) to simulate and optimize spray-drying processes.
• Support process industrialization, scale-up, and technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing.
• Perform process design, including atomization behavior, droplet drying kinetics, chamber flow patterns, and cyclone/collector efficiency.
• Apply chemical engineering fundamentals and applied kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena
• Use of mathematical models (both statistical & first principles) to enhance process understanding and effectively develop / optimize/ scale-up and troubleshoot processes.
• Interpret simulation results and translate them into actionable insights for engineering and production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional groups (R&D, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing) to ensure model alignment with product and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute, applying mathematical models, to risk assessments, design of experiments (DoE), and process troubleshooting.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal teams and external partners.

• Master’s degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related field.
• Proven expertise in CFD modelling of complex fluid-dynamic systems (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL, STAR-CCM+).
• Experience in the following simulation areas:
  Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Discrete Element Method (DEM), Population Balance Modeling (PBM)
• Strong programming skills (familiarity with VBA, Python)
• Knowledge and experience building mathematical, statistical first principles and hybrid models
• Proficiency in statistical, machine learning, and AI methodologies is a plus
• Knoweldge of modeling and simulation software packages (e.g. Dynochem, gProms, Aspen+, Ansys Fluent, Open Foam, MStar)
• Strong knowledge of spray-drying technology, fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, and powder behavior.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or other tightly regulated production environments (food, biotech, fine chemicals) is highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of process scale-up, industrial equipment, and process controls.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-specialists.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills: able to troubleshoot critical issues or problems using appropriate information and determine causes and possible solutions.
• Teamwork and Communication - Ability to work well on project teams and communicate clearly; adjusts communication style as appropriate for the audience; timely and effectively communicates with senior management; technical writing skills to support contributions to and authorship of technical documents.
• Organization – Exercises good time management and prioritization skills to balance multiple project and departmental objectives.

The company offers an environment where decision-making autonomy and technical excellence are recognized and supported through structured senior and executive-level career development pathways.

Vicenza, this position is smart working eligible