Director of Chemistry, Small Molecule Process Development and Manufacturing

Biogen; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 188,000 - 259,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life ins.

Fitness & Wellness programs

Short- and Long-Term Disability

Paid vacation & year-end shutdown

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Resource Groups

Job summary

Biogen is seeking a Director of Chemistry to lead the Small Molecule Chemical Development team in Cambridge. You will guide process development from early-stage to late-stage, mentoring scientists and engineers, and driving scalable, compliant manufacturing processes for clinical materials.

You will oversee collaboration across analytical, engineering, and regulatory groups, ensuring robust processes and successful IND/CMC deliverables while shaping Biogen’s pipeline and manufacturing strategies.

Qualifications

• Strong background in pharmaceutical process chemistry and engineering.
• Experience leading project teams delivering APIs across multiple modalities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and manufacturing teams to optimize and characterize processes for Biogen assets.
• Guide experimental plans to advance the Biogen portfolio and implement safe, efficient, robust chemical processes.
• Mentor and develop scientific and engineering leaders within the group.
• Develop fundamental process knowledge for scale-up and tech transfer to manufacturing partners.
• Collaborate with Process Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, and other groups to support regulatory filings (CMC).
• Present research results in reports and team meetings; contribute to IND CMC sections.
• Coordinate with Contract Research Organizations as needed, including travel.
• Initiate innovative projects to deepen understanding of Biogen processes.
• Represent Biogen externally at consortia and conferences.

Skills

Process chemistry

Chemical engineering

Analytical chemistry

Purification & isolation

Process characterization

Regulatory understanding (CMC)

Team leadership & mentorship

Scientific communication

Education

M.S. or PhD in chemistry/chemical engineering

Job description

About This Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Director of Chemistry to join our Small Molecule Chemical Development team. In this role, you will lead and mentor scientific and engineering teams as you guide project progression from early-phase through late-phase drug development. You will oversee the design and refinement of robust manufacturing processes for a wide range of small molecules, supporting pre-clinical and clinical therapeutics. This role is integral to advancing our scientific endeavors, driving innovation, and enabling the successful launch of new medicines through collaborative, safe, economical, and sustainable process development.

Who We Are

We are a team of organic chemists and chemical engineers engaged in the design of innovative processes which supply new medicines to patients. We focus on developing safe, economical, sustainable, cost-effective, and robust processes to support clinical trials and the launch of new medicines across various drug modalities. We are driven by first principles science, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative teamwork.

WhatYou’llDo

• Lead collaborative development and manufacturing teams to design and conduct experiments to optimize and characterize the processes of Biogen assets with an emphasis on improvement in process understanding, robustness, and productivity.
• Design, guide and execute experimental plans to advance the Biogen portfolio. You will be responsible for leading project teams towards the implementation of safe, efficient and robust chemical processes Biogen drug candidates. You will collaborate with development and manufacturing teams to optimize and characterize the processes of Biogen assets with an emphasis on improvement in process understanding, robustness, and productivity.
• Responsible for managing scientific colleagues, and mentoring, engaging, and preparing our future scientific and engineering leaders
• Develop the fundamental process knowledge needed to support the transition of chemical and biochemical processes from laboratory scale to manufacturing partners.
• Collaborate with our Process Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Oligo Synthesis, Solid Form, and Separations colleagues to develop the knowledge and controls needed for the supply of clinical materials and characterization of processes to support regulatory filings.
• Communicate project team research results effectively by in reports and discussions in team meetings, including engagement in CMC activities including authoring CMC section of INDs.
• Interact with Contract Research Organizations as project needs evolve, which may include travel
• Initiate innovative research projects to improve fundamental understanding and control of Biogen processes
• Expand on your Chemistry community presence professionally representing Biogen externally in consortia and conferences

Who YouAre

You have a passion for exploring scientific concepts and are eager to contribute to the design and development and execution of cutting-edge technologies in the service of delivering drug candidates for clinical trials. Your vision and dedication drive you to push the boundaries of scientific endeavors, ultimately impacting patient lives. You thrive in a collaborative environment where urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity are shared values.

• M.S. or PhD with 12+ years of relevant experience, including people management, in pharmaceutical or biotech settings is required
• Strong background in the theory and practice of pharmaceutical process chemistry and engineering, including command of synthetic strategies, impurity controls, analytical, purification and isolation techniques, process characterization, familiarity with process safety and tech transfer protocols, and good problem-solving skills in the service of delivering non-clinical and clinical APIs and the phase appropriate knowledge packages for CMC support.
• Demonstrated experience in leading project teams involved in delivery of APIs across several modalities
• Ability to lead teams ethically, collaboratively, effectively, and cross-functionally
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required along with the desire to work in a highly collaborative team environment.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in engaging with external partners and representing the organization in external facing settings.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and CMC activities related to drug development.

Job Level: Management

Additional Information

The base compensation range for this role is: $188,000.00-$258,500.00

Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.

Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.

Benefits

In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
• Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
• Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
• A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
• Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
• 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
• 401(k) program participation with company matched contributionsEmployee stock purchase plan
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
• Employee Resource Groups participation

Why Biogen?

We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.

At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about Biogen.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.