Lead Process Safety Scientist – Drug Substance NCE

BioCT Innovation Commons; Ridgefield (CT); Hybrid; USD 141,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim seeks a Senior Scientist, Process Safety, Drug Substance NCE to evaluate thermal and reactive hazards across APIs and manufacturing, supporting safe development, scale-up, and tech transfer. The role requires DSC, TGA, ARC analyses and cross-functional collaboration with R&D, EHS and technical services.

Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field and strong experience in process safety, hazard assessments, and technical reporting.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field with 3+ years experience preferred.
• M.S. with 6+ years experience or B.S. with 8+ years experience acceptable.
• Experience with DSC, TGA, ARC and reaction calorimetry required.
• Strong ability to perform risk assessments and scale-up safety.
• Experience documenting and reporting technical data to cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute thermal stability studies for APIs and intermediates.
• Assess decomposition, self-heating, runaway reactions and energetic hazards.
• Establish thermal safety parameters for scale-up and manufacturing operations.
• Collaborate with process chemists during route scouting and scale-up activities.
• Prepare hazard reports and present findings to project teams and leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical reporting

Risk assessment

Scale-up principles

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field

M.S. in related field

B.S. in related field

Tools

DSC

TGA

ARC

Reaction Calorimetry

Process safety software/kinetics tools

Job description

Description

As an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, you will actively contribute to the discovery, development, and delivery of our products to our patients and customers. Our global presence provides an opportunity for all employees to collaborate internationally, offering visibility and the opportunity to directly contribute to the company's success. We realize that our strength and competitive advantage lie with our people. We support our employees in several ways to foster a healthy working environment, meaningful work, mobility, networking, and work-life balance. Our competitive compensation and benefit programs reflect Boehringer Ingelheim's high regard for our employees.

The Senior Scientist, Process Safety, Drug Substance New Chemical Entity (NCE) is responsible for evaluating, characterizing, and mitigating thermal and reactive hazards associated with pharmaceutical compounds, intermediates, chemical processes, and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing operations. The incumbent will support safe process development, scale-up, and technology transfer through thermal analysis, reaction calorimetry, process safety assessments, and hazard risk management. In addition, this role will collaborate with process research, development, scale-up, Technical Services and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).

Duties & Responsibilities

• Thermal Hazard Assessment
  • Design and execute thermal stability studies for APIs, intermediates, and reaction mixtures.
  • Assess decomposition behavior, self-heating potential, runaway reaction risks, and energetic hazards.
  • Evaluate safe operating limits for chemical processes and unit operations.
  • Establish thermal safety parameters for scale-up and manufacturing operations.
• Thermal Analysis & Calorimetry
  • Conduct thermal characterization using:
    • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
    • Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
    • Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC)
    • Reaction Calorimetry (RC1 or equivalent)
  • Interpret calorimetric and kinetic data to determine process safety risks.
• Process Safety Evaluation
  • Perform process hazard assessments for R&D manufacturing processes.
  • Conduct thermal risk assessments and reaction hazard reviews
  • Identify potential runaway reaction scenarios and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Process research and Development Support
  • Partner with process chemists during route scouting, optimization, and scale-up activities.
  • Define critical process safety parameters, including:
    • Maximum Technical Temperature (MTT)
    • Maximum Temperature of Synthesis Reaction (MTSR)
    • Time to Maximum Rate (TMR)
    • Safe temperature operating windows
  • Support kilo lab and pilot plant campaigns.
• Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Prepare comprehensive thermal hazard reports and technical recommendations
    • Present findings to interdisciplinary project teams and leadership.
    • Maintain detailed experimental documentation in compliance with company standards.
    • Develop process safety databases and internal best practices.

Compensation Data

The base salary range for this position is $140,800.00 to $211,200.00 USD. The position may be eligible for a role-specific discretionary bonus, relocation assistance, and/or other compensation elements. We continuously review market data and may adjust salary ranges as needed in the future. Actual compensation will be based on job-related factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and other factors permitted by law. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings opportunities, paid time off, paid holidays, disability and life insurance benefits, and other company-sponsored benefits. For additional information regarding our benefits and Total Rewards offerings, please click here.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry (preferred Organic Chemistry), Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Process Safety Engineering, or related field with at least three (3) years of experience.
• OR M.S. with at least six (6) years
• OR B.S. with at least eight (8) years of relevant experience.
• DSC, TGA, ARC, Reaction Calorimetry
• Thermal Decomposition Kinetics
• Risk assessment
• Scale-up principles and technical reporting
• Cross-functional collaboration.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required).
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Desired Skills, Experience and Abilities

• Pharmaceutical R&D
• API Development
• Chemical Development and Scale-Up
• Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs)
• Specialty Chemicals
• Knowledge of:
  • Pharmaceutical API manufacturing
  • High-energy chemistry
  • Crystallization and drying safety
  • Dust explosion assessment
  • Computational modeling and kinetics software