Lead Synthetic Chemist for Reference Standards & Impurities

Paladin Labs Inc.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Par Health is seeking a Staff Synthetic Chemist to design and execute complex organic syntheses for analytical reference standards in support of API and Drug Product businesses.

You will lead the Reference Standards Program, collaborate with Analytical R&D, Quality Control, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure ICH and cGMP compliance, and mentor junior chemists in a fast-paced DEA-regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 3+ years of related industrial experience.
• M.S. in Organic Chemistry with 5+ years of related industrial experience.
• B.S. in Chemistry with 8+ years of related industrial experience.
• Proven track record in organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and purification techniques.
• Strong ability to interpret complex NMR and MS data for structure elucidation.
• Familiarity with cGMP, FDA and ICH regulatory guidelines.
• Excellent technical writing and notebook-drafting skills.
• Experience working in a DEA-regulated environment and lab safety culture.

Responsibilities

• Design, troubleshoot, and execute complex multi-step syntheses to create reference standards (gram to multigram scale).
• Perform structural elucidation using NMR, LC-MS, GC-MS, IR to confirm structures.
• Lead the Reference Standard Program lifecycle, CoAs, and requalification schedules.
• Collaborate with process chemistry and QC to set purity specs and methods.
• Ensure work aligns with cGMP and regulatory filings; contribute to technical reports.
• Mentor junior chemists and promote rigorous lab safety practices.
• Maintain compliance with QA, EH&S, and DEA policies; manage inventory tracking.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Reaction mechanisms

Route scouting

NMR interpretation

Mass spectrometry

Technical writing

Mentorship

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

M.S. in Organic Chemistry

B.S. in Chemistry

Tools

Flash chromatography

Prep-HPLC

Crystallization

NMR

LC-MS

Job description

Par Health is seeking a Staff Synthetic Chemist to design and execute complex organic syntheses for analytical reference standards in support of API and Drug Product businesses.

You will lead the Reference Standards Program, collaborate with Analytical R&D, Quality Control, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure ICH and cGMP compliance, and mentor junior chemists in a fast-paced DEA-regulated environment.