Lead Chemical Process R&D Scientist

Elan Personal AG; Plan-les-Ouates; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Modern campus facilities

Central Basel location

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Elan Personal AG is seeking a Lead Chemical Process R&D Scientist to guide late-stage synthetic routes and scale-up for drug substances. You will manage a small team and collaborate with CDMOs to ensure safe, efficient production aligned with clinical development timelines.

The role demands a PhD or postdoctoral background in synthetic organic chemistry, 5+ years in pharma process R&D, leadership experience, and strong DoE/scale-up software skills.

Qualifications

• PhD or Postdoctoral background in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.
• 5+ years of hands-on pharmaceutical process R&D, late-stage development and scale-up.
• Leadership and project management experience within chemistry teams.
• Direct experience managing external CDMOs for development and manufacturing.
• Proficiency with chemistry tools, literature search, DoE, and process scale-up software.
• Fluent English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external chemical process R&D activities across a team of 1–5 chemists.
• Oversee end-to-end workflows: route scouting, optimization, scale-up, and API supply support.
• Coordinate cross-functional delivery with CDMO timelines for safe, cost-effective production.
• Ensure quality and compliance to internal specs, safety standards, and sustainability goals.

Skills

DoE software

Kinetic modeling

Scale-up software

Office tools

English proficiency

Education

PhD or Postdoctoral in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Tools

Chemical drawing tools

Literature/patent search engines

Analytical software

Job description

This job posting was published here directly by one of our clients. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs has no control over its content or quality.

Lead Chemical Process R&D Scientist

Elan Personal AG Vacant since : 13.10.2026 1228 Plan-les-Ouates (GE) 100% By agreement Temporary

Switzerland bridges the gap between pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Important research and development functions are located here. For our long-term client, F. -La AG in Basel, we are looking for a

Background:

In this function you will lead chemical process R&D activities to deliver safe, scalable, efficient and sustainable processes as well as drug substance material for projects in clinical development, with a focus on late stage development, leveraging internal and external CDMO capabilities.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Lead Internal & External Chemical Process R&D activities: Direct chemical process research and development work, managing an internal team of 1-5 process chemists and/or leading external activities at contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs)
• Oversee end-to-end process chemistry workflows, including synthetic route scouting, process optimization, scale-up, and support for supply activities.
• Coordinate Cross-Functional Delivery: Synchronize internal laboratory efforts with CDMO timelines to guarantee the timely, safe, and cost-effective production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and advanced intermediates
• Ensure Quality & Compliance: Deliver the target compounds following internal quality processes and according to specifications, safety standards and sustainability objectives.

Must Haves:

• PhD or Postdoctoral background in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical chemical process R&D, with demonstrated expertise in late-stage process development and scale-up.
• Leadership & Project Management: Proven track record of leading, mentoring, and driving project deliverables within internal process chemistry teams.
• CDMO Management: Direct experience managing external chemical development, technology transfers, and manufacturing activities at CDMOs.
• Technical & Software Proficiency: High proficiency with standard office applications alongside core chemistry tools, including chemical drawing tools, literature/patent search engines, Design of Experiments (DoE) applications, analytical software, and project planning platforms. Proficiency in the use of kinetic modeling or scale-up simulation software is a plus.
• Professional fluency in spoken and written English is required

Nice to Have:

• Familiarity or prior experience working within Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environments is an advantage, though not strictly required.

• Professional working proficiency or fluency in is a plus.

What you will be offered:

• An opportunity to work in one of the world's most important pharmaceutical companies
• Modern campus with plenty of green spaces and meeting areas
• Central location in Basel
• Varied job profile
• Further training opportunities through temptraining
• Working in a dynamic and motivated team

Basel-Stadt Research GMP Synthetic Organic Chemistry R&D CDMO DoE Scientist

• Elan Personal AG

4051 Basel

jidb6c5488jm jit1042jm jiy26jm

• Work location 1228 Plan-les-Ouates (GE)
• Workload 100%
• Employment start By agreement
• Employment duration Temporary

• By online Online form