Process Safety Scientist – Thermal Analysis for NCE API

Boehringer Ingelheim; Ridgefield (CT); On-site; USD 141,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking a Senior Scientist, Process Safety for Drug Substance NCE, in the United States. You will evaluate and mitigate thermal hazards, perform calorimetry analyses, and support safe API development, scale-up, and technology transfer.

The role emphasizes collaboration with process research, development, scale-up, Technical Services, and EHS, with emphasis on data-driven hazard reporting and cross-functional teamwork within a global biopharmaceutical setting.

Qualifications

• ,

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Conduct thermal characterization using DSC, TGA, ARC, RC1 or equivalent.
• Interpret calorimetric and kinetic data to determine process safety risks.
• 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.
• Partner with process chemists during route scouting, optimization, and scale-up activities.
• Define critical process safety parameters, including MTT, MTSR, TMR, and safe temperature operating windows.
• Support kilo labs and pilot plant campaigns.
• 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.

Skills

Thermal Hazard Assessment

Thermal Analysis & Calorimetry

Process Safety Evaluation

Process Development Support

Data Analysis & Reporting

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related

M.S. in Chemistry/related (6+ years)

B.S. in Chemistry/related (8+ years)

Tools

DSC

TGA

ARC

Reaction Calorimetry

Computational modeling software

Job 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).

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, 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, and qualifications, and other factors permitted by law. For an overview of our benefits 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
  
  
  
  
  

Our Company

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Why Boehringer Ingelheim?

With us, you can develop your own path in a company with a culture that knows our differences are our strengths - and break new ground in the drive to make millions of lives better.

Here, your development is our priority. Supporting you to build a career as part of a workplace that is independent, authentic and bold, while tackling challenging work in a respectful and friendly environment where everyone is valued and welcomed.

Alongside, you have access to programs and groups that ensure your health and wellbeing are looked after - as we make major investments to drive global accessibility to healthcare. By being part of a team that is constantly innovating, you'll be helping to transform lives for generations.

Want to learn more? Visit https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com