Senior R&D Chemist

Flychem; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Flychem is seeking a Senior R&D Chemist to develop and optimise lab-scale processes for cosmetic ingredients across its portfolio. You will take projects from bench to pilot scale-up and technical transfer to production, owning analytical characterisation, specifications and batch documentation.

The role requires GMP documentation expertise, hands-on HPLC/GC method development, and collaboration across actives, emulsifiers and UV filters. Hyderabad-based, full-time.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in Chemistry or related field or B.Tech/M.Tech in Chemical Eng/Biotech.
• 5+ years R&D experience in cosmetic ingredients, specialty chemicals or related manufacturing.
• Experience scaling processes bench-to-pilot/production.

Responsibilities

• Design, run and optimise bench-scale processes across diverse chemistries.
• Develop, transfer and validate analytical methods (HPLC/GC, titration, Karl Fischer).
• Lead scale-up from lab to pilot batches for production transfer.
• Prepare development reports, batch documentation and specifications per GMP.
• Evaluate raw materials and supplier samples for process impact.
• Plan and execute stability studies and translate results into shelf-life guidance.

Skills

HPLC/GC methods

Organic synthesis

Process scale-up

GMP documentation

Analytical method development

DoE knowledge

Education

M.Sc. Chemistry

B.Tech in Chemical Engineering

Tools

HPLC systems

GC instruments

Karl Fischer

Job description

The Senior R&D Chemist develops and optimises lab-scale processes for new and existing ingredients across Flychem's full manufacturing portfolio, spanning synthetic and bio-based actives, emulsifiers and emollients, encapsulated and delivery-system products, rheology modifiers, silicones, humectants and UV filters. The role takes projects from bench through pilot scale-up and technical transfer to production, with strong ownership of analytical characterisation, specifications and batch documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, run and optimise bench-scale processes across the diverse chemistries in Flychem's portfolio, including small-molecule synthesis and purification, handling and standardisation of biologically derived and peptide-based materials, fermentation and enzyme workup, encapsulation and delivery systems, and emulsifier/emollient development.
• Develop, transfer and validate analytical methods for identity, assay and purity — HPLC and GC assay, titration, Karl Fischer, pH, viscosity and particle-size characterisation — and interpret results against specifications.
• Operate and oversee laboratory and pilot equipment such as jacketed reactors, overhead and high-shear mixers/homogenisers, rotary evaporators, vacuum filtration and centrifugation, spray/freeze dryers and lab ovens, ensuring correct setup, calibration checks and maintenance logging.
• Lead scale-up from laboratory to pilot batches, defining critical process parameters and preparing the technical package for transfer to production.
• Author and maintain development reports, master formulae/process instructions, raw-material and finished-ingredient specifications, and batch documentation in line with GMP practice.
• Evaluate incoming raw materials and supplier samples; qualify alternative sources and assess their impact on process and specification.
• Plan and execute stability studies (physical, chemical, and microbial where applicable) and translate outcomes into shelf-life and storage recommendations.
• Troubleshoot process and quality deviations at bench and pilot scale, and support production and QC in resolving batch issues.
• Work with the Regulatory and QC functions to ensure development work aligns with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Cosmetics Rules 2020 and relevant BIS standards.
• Handle hazardous and reactive chemicals safely, following SOPs, risk assessments and site EHS requirements.
• Provide informal technical guidance and peer review to junior R&D chemists (without formal supervisory responsibility).

Required Qualifications

• M.Sc. in Chemistry / Organic Chemistry / Industrial or Applied Chemistry, or B.Tech/M.Tech in Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant R&D experience in cosmetic ingredients, specialty chemicals, fine chemicals or a closely related manufacturing sector.
• Demonstrated experience taking processes from bench to pilot/production scale.

Required Technical Skills

• Hands-on HPLC and GC method development and assay; familiarity with titrimetric and wet-chemistry analysis, Karl Fischer, and standard physical characterisation (pH, viscosity, particle size).
• Practical organic synthesis, purification and reaction work-up at lab scale.
• Working knowledge across several product classes in the portfolio — actives, biologically derived and peptide-based materials, emulsifiers and emollients, rheology modifiers, silicones, humectants and UV filters.
• Practical experience with laboratory and pilot process equipment: reactors, mixers/homogenisers, rotary evaporators, filtration and centrifugation, and drying equipment.
• Process scale-up and technical transfer, including definition of critical process parameters.
• GMP-compliant documentation: specifications, batch records, development and stability reports.
• Interpretation of analytical and stability data to set specifications and shelf life.

Preferred / Nice-To-Have

• Experience with encapsulation or delivery-system development.
• Exposure to fermentation, enzyme production, or bio-based/biotechnology-derived materials.
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) and structured process optimisation.
• Working knowledge of Indian cosmetic manufacturing compliance (Cosmetics Rules 2020, BIS, GMP) and preparation of technical/regulatory documentation.

Soft Skills and Behavioural Competencies

• Strong independent problem-solving and sound experimental judgement.
• Clear, precise technical writing and data presentation.
• Reliable documentation discipline and attention to detail.
• Effective collaboration with QC, Regulatory, Production and EHS.
• Ownership and accountability for project timelines and outcomes.