Process Chemist

Discover International; California (MO); On-site; USD 83,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Discover International is seeking a Process Development Scientist to advance peptide and API manufacturing from lab scale to cGMP production. This hands-on role blends chemistry, process development, and tech transfer across sites, with a focus on scalable peptide and oligonucleotide medicines.

The ideal candidate has strong synthetic chemistry expertise, experience optimizing processes, and can collaborate across Production, QA, QC, Engineering, and Supply Chain in a fast-paced GMP environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or related with 1+ year industry experience
• OR Master’s with 5+ years industry experience
• Minimum 4+ years in organic chemistry, process chemistry, or API development
• Experience with peptide chemistry, peptide manufacturing, or complex molecule synthesis preferred
• Strong understanding of synthetic route development, scale-up, and process optimization
• Familiarity with cGMP environments, deviation management, and technical documentation
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC and reaction monitoring tools preferred
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and independent problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale synthetic processes for peptide and oligonucleotide APIs from lab through manufacturing
• Support technology transfer activities from Process Development into Production across internal sites
• Monitor and optimize chemical reactions, purification operations, isolation, and drying processes
• Perform and interpret analytical testing including HPLC purification, in-process sampling, and related process analytics
• Troubleshoot process, equipment, and manufacturing challenges to improve efficiency and yield
• Partner with Production, QA, QC, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams for compliant execution
• Author and review batch records, protocols, reports, SOPs, and technical documentation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, right-first-time execution, and scalable manufacturing readiness

Skills

Peptide chemistry

Process development

cGMP

Analytical methods

Tech transfer

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional

Documentation

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related

Master's in Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

UPLC

Job description

Process Chemist - Peptide / API Manufacturing

$70/hour

A leading peptide manufacturing organization is seeking a Process Development Scientist to support the advancement of innovative API processes from early development through full-scale cGMP manufacturing. This is a hands-on opportunity to work at the intersection of chemistry, process development, and commercial manufacturing supporting next-generation peptide and oligonucleotide medicines.

The ideal candidate will bring strong synthetic chemistry expertise, process optimization experience, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally in a fast-paced GMP manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale synthetic processes for peptide and oligonucleotide APIs from lab through manufacturing
• Support technology transfer activities from Process Development into Production across internal sites
• Monitor and optimize chemical reactions, purification operations, isolation, and drying processes
• Perform and interpret analytical testing including High-performance liquid chromatography purification, in-process sampling, and related process analytics
• Troubleshoot process, equipment, and manufacturing challenges to improve efficiency and yield
• Partner closely with Production, QA, QC, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to ensure compliant execution
• Author and review batch records, protocols, reports, SOPs, and technical documentation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, right-first-time execution, and scalable manufacturing readiness

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Organic Chemistry, or related discipline with 1+ year industry experience
• OR
• Master's degree with 5+ years relevant industry experience
• Minimum 4+ years of industry experience in organic chemistry, process chemistry, or API development
• Experience with peptide chemistry, peptide manufacturing, or complex molecule synthesis strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of synthetic route development, scale-up, and process optimization
• Familiarity with cGMP environments, deviation management, and technical documentation
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as High-performance liquid chromatography, UPLC, and reaction monitoring tools preferred
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and independent problem-solving skills

Preferred Experience

• Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS)
• Oligonucleotide API manufacturing
• Tech transfer between R&D and commercial manufacturing
• Purification, filtration, lyophilization, and drying operations
• Working in multi-site manufacturing environments

Why Join

• Contract-to-hire opportunity with long-term growth potential
• Work with a recognized leader in peptide manufacturing
• Direct impact on therapies advancing modern medicine
• Strong exposure to development through commercial-scale production