Process Development Scientist – Reactors & Chromatography

Advantage Technical; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Technical in Cambridge, MA is seeking a hands‑on Scientist in Process Sciences to advance oligonucleotide manufacturing processes, including development, characterization, optimization, and scale‑up, applying mass transfer and reaction engineering to a solid‑phase synthesis platform.

The role emphasizes working with packed‑bed reactors, large‑scale chromatography, and process scale‑up, with collaboration across Analytical Development, Manufacturing, QA, and external CMOs to transfer

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands‑on experience with packed‑bed reactor systems or related solid‑liquid processing equipment.
• Experience with large‑scale chromatography, including column operation beyond routine MPLC.
• Strong understanding of mass transfer, reaction engineering, fluid flow, and interactions among fluids, reagents, and solid particles.
• Demonstrated experience developing, characterizing, optimizing, or scaling manufacturing processes.
• Experience troubleshooting process failures and translating findings into process improvements.
• Experience with chromatography resins, polymer systems, solid supports, catalysts, or related materials.
• Ability to author clear technical protocols and reports and present findings to technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development, optimization, characterization, and scale‑up of oligonucleotide manufacturing processes.
• Design and execute lab studies involving packed‑bed reactors, chromatography columns, resins, and related solid‑liquid systems.
• Apply mass‑transfer and reaction‑engineering principles to improve process performance.
• Support characterization for small‑molecule and oligonucleotide APIs.
• Troubleshoot process failures, identify root causes, and propose solutions.
• Assist transfer of processes from lab to larger scale manufacturing.
• Contribute to management and optimization of internal and external manufacturing processes.
• Author and review technical protocols, development reports, study summaries, and process‑characterization docs.
• Prepare, edit, and review manufacturing documentation per procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate across Analytical Development, Manufacturing, QA/QC, and external CMO/CRO partners on transfer and optimization.
• Analyze results, communicate conclusions, and present findings to internal and external teams.
• Participate in strategic discussions on process development, scale‑up, and manufacturing readiness.

Skills

Packed-bed reactors

Large-scale chromatography

Mass transfer

Reaction engineering

Process scale-up

Solid‑liquid interactions

Education

Master's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering or related field

Tools

Chromatography columns

Solid‑liquid processing equipment

Job description

Pay Rate: Up to $56 per hour or about $114,000

Schedule: Monday–Friday, standard business hours; no weekend work

Position Overview

The Process Sciences team is seeking a hands‑on Scientist to support the development, characterization, optimization, and scale‑up of manufacturing processes for oligonucleotide drug substances. This individual will apply principles of mass transfer, reaction engineering, and solid‑liquid interactions to an emerging solid‑phase synthesis platform.

The strongest candidates will have practical experience with packed-bed reactor systems, large-scale chromatography, and process scale‑up. Direct oligonucleotide experience is preferred but not required. Scientists and engineers with relevant experience in chromatography columns, catalytic reactors, polymer or resin systems, peptide synthesis, fluidized beds, or similar solid‑liquid processes are encouraged to apply.

This laboratory‑based position is fully onsite at the company’s Kendall Square offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, optimization, characterization, and scale‑up of oligonucleotide manufacturing processes.
• Design and execute laboratory studies involving packed‑bed reactors, chromatography columns, resins, solid supports, and related solid‑liquid systems.
• Apply mass‑transfer and reaction‑engineering principles to understand and improve process performance.
• Support process and product characterization for small‑molecule and oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients.
• Troubleshoot process failures, identify root causes, and recommend technically sound solutions.
• Support the transfer of processes from laboratory development to larger‑scale and manufacturing environments.
• Contribute to the management and optimization of internal and external manufacturing processes.
• Author and review technical protocols, development reports, study summaries, and process‑characterization documentation.
• Prepare, edit, and review manufacturing documentation in accordance with applicable procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Analytical Development, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and external CMO/CRO partners on process transfer and optimization activities.
• Analyze experimental results, communicate conclusions, and present technical findings to internal and external scientific teams.
• Participate in strategic technical discussions related to process development, scale‑up, and manufacturing readiness.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, or a closely related scientific or engineering discipline.
• Hands‑on experience with packed‑bed reactor systems or closely related solid‑liquid processing equipment.
• Experience with large‑scale chromatography, including chromatography column operation beyond routine MPLC use.
• Strong understanding of mass transfer, reaction engineering, fluid flow, and interactions among fluids, reagents, and solid particles.
• Demonstrated experience developing, characterizing, optimizing, or scaling practical manufacturing processes.
• Experience troubleshooting process failures and translating laboratory findings into process improvements.
• Experience working with chromatography resins, polymer systems, solid supports, catalysts, or comparable materials.
• Ability to author clear technical protocols and reports and present scientific findings to technical audiences.
• Strong organizational, communication, operational‑execution, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven, cross‑functional laboratory environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of process research and development experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, or advanced‑materials industries.
• Experience developing or scaling oligonucleotide, peptide, small‑molecule, or other solid‑phase synthesis processes.
• Experience transferring processes from laboratory development into manufacturing.
• Experience with process and product characterization techniques.
• Experience with fluidized‑bed reactor systems.
• Experience collaborating with contract manufacturing or contract research organizations.

Team Structure

• Immediate team of approximately six employees.
• Broader department of approximately 20 employees.
• This is an individual‑contributor role; experienced candidates should be comfortable remaining in a hands‑on technical position.
• The role requires daily onsite laboratory work.

Interview Process

Candidates will complete three onsite interviews on the same day:

• Team Interview and Technical Seminar – 60 minutes
• Candidates will deliver a presentation covering a PhD thesis, relevant research, or applicable technical experience.
• Approximately 30–45 minutes will be dedicated to the presentation and questions, followed by a discussion of the candidate’s experience and technical approach.
• Candidates may use an existing technical presentation when appropriate.
• Individual Interview – 30 minutes
• Individual Interview – 30 minutes

Confidential Disclosure Agreement Required: No