Principal Scientist I - Process Chemistry, Scale-Up & Safety

Parexel; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Parexel is seeking a Principal Scientist I to join the Chemical Engineering Research and Development group, onsite in Rahway, NJ. This full-time role supports lab-scale to multi-kilogram process development for pharmaceutical APIs, emphasizing safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

The candidate will lead experimental plans, generate and analyze data, and contribute to process optimization while working in a fast-paced, team-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with chemical process development, scale-up, and unit operations including reactions, extractions, distillations, crystallizations, filtrations, and drying.
• Strong laboratory skills with the ability to safely handle a wide variety of chemicals, execute experiments, and generate, analyze, and document data in compliance with GLP expectations.
• Knowledge of chemistry theory and practice, including process robustness, quality, yield, and environmental considerations.
• Ability to work accurately and safely in a fast-paced, regulated laboratory environment with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with computers and experience using MS Office and data analysis tools.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills to effectively collaborate within cross-functional project teams.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines to meet safety, environmental, and quality requirements.
• Initiative and independence to develop, apply, and improve laboratory systems, methods, and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Support chemical process development at grams to multi-kilogram scale to understand scale-up issues.
• Plan, analyze, and document laboratory experiments and write clear reports.
• Work in the lab with a variety of chemicals and analyze data from process and analytical instruments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance APIs through the R&D pipeline.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

GLP awareness

Data analysis

Strong communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry

MS in Chemistry (3+ years pharma)

Tools

MS Office

Data analysis tools

Job description

Parexel is seeking a Principal Scientist I to join the Chemical Engineering Research and Development group, onsite in Rahway, NJ. This full-time role supports lab-scale to multi-kilogram process development for pharmaceutical APIs, emphasizing safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

The candidate will lead experimental plans, generate and analyze data, and contribute to process optimization while working in a fast-paced, team-driven environment.