Research Investigator & Manager

Cambrex Corp.; Longmont (CO); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Prescription coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

HSA

FSA

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Paid sick leave

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid parental leave

Wellness programs

Emotional support programs

Job summary

Cambrex Corp. is seeking a senior process chemist with leadership experience to mentor a team of scientists and drive the direction of the process chemistry group. You will design and optimize multi-step organic syntheses and oversee analytical evaluations using NMR, IR, MS, and HPLC.

The role emphasizes collaboration with manufacturing and GMP operations, safety compliance, and strong communication for customer-facing updates. Detailed education in organic chemistry is required.

Qualifications

• Extensive background in general and organic chemistry.
• Experience with synthesis, isolation and purification procedures.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Supervisory or management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and manage a group of scientists.
• Lead process chemistry strategy and future direction.
• Design and optimize multi-step organic syntheses.
• Analyze materials using NMR, IR, MS, and HPLC.
• Prepare summaries and present results to customers.

Skills

General chemistry

Organic chemistry

Synthesis techniques

Purification techniques

Analytical methods

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication skills

Project coordination

Safety compliance

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

MS in Organic Chemistry

BS/BA in Chemistry

Tools

NMR

IR

MS

HPLC

ChemDraw

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Company Information

You Matter to Cambrex.

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as comprehensive analytical and IND enabling services.

With over 40 years of experience and a team of 2,000 experts servicing global clients from North America and Europe, Cambrex offers a range of specialized drug substance technologies and capabilities, including continuous flow, controlled substances, liquid-phase peptide synthesis, solid-state science, material characterization, and highly potent APIs.

Your Work Matters.

At Cambrex, we strive to build a culture where all colleagues have the opportunity to:

• engage in work that matters to our customers and the patients they serve
• learn new skills and enjoy new experiences in an engaging and safe environment
• strengthen connections with coworkers and the community

We’re committed to attracting and nurturing a passionate team of valued professionals in our fast-paced and growing company. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare, life insurance, planning for retirement, and more!

Your Future Matters.

Known for our customer-focused scientific and manufacturing excellence, as well as our strong commitment to quality and safety, we offer a range of career and growth opportunities across our global network of locations. Together with our customers, we aim to improve the quality of life for patients around the world.

Job Overview

Mentor and teach associate and senior scientists. Serve as a primary customer contact for meetings, escalations, and routine events. Perform managerial tasks for work group. Perform routine and complex organic synthesis, purification and analytical evaluation of materials as part of a process chemistry research and development team. Optimize synthetic routes to active pharmaceutical ingredients for purity, reproducibility, scalability and yield. Expected to function as the overall CMC leader for drug substance program and participate in determining future directionsof the process chemistry group.

Responsibilities

• Mentor, teach, coach, and manage other scientists.
• Participate in determining the future direction of the group including a continuous improvement plan, expansion of group capabilities and expertise.
• Carry out multistep organic syntheses, isolation, and purification of targeted products independently. Contribute to the strategic approach used to optimize reactions, isolations and purifications.
• Proficiently conduct analysis of starting materials, reaction mixtures, intermediates and products using appropriate instrumentation.
• Independently designs and proposes new synthetic processes to produce the drug substance.
• Act as PRD leader. Identify critical questions to be answered and set priorities for the process chemistry team.
• Must be able to lead a large group of scientists from a technical perspective on a project basis.
• Maintain familiarity with applicable literature including organic chemistry and techniques.
• Full, independent identification of potential chemistry issues, generation of timelines and estimates for proposal creation.
• Full participation in setting strategy and timing needed for customer proposal requests.
• Routinely generate summaries and reports on completed experimental work for internal and external use. Oral and written presentation of experimental work for internal meetings and teleconferences with customers.
• Work to ensure teamwork and cooperation exists within the group at all times.
• Conduct laboratory operations in a safe manner. Maintain familiarity with the company's chemical hygiene plan. Exhibit safety awareness and safe work practices.
• Follow responsible actions regarding chemical disposal. Maintain compliance with all regulations at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Address routine administrative requirements in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills (both written and oral). Participate in project team meetings with customers.
• Work closely with manufacturing and GMP operations to coordinate project-related equipment and activities. Assist in the transfer of processes to the manufacturing team.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills

• Expert understanding of general chemistry and organic chemistry.
• Understanding of modern organic synthesis reactions, isolations and purification procedures.
• Full understanding of common synthetic organic reaction mechanisms.
• Proficient use of all relevant analytical techniques and instrumentation such as NMR, IR, MS and HPLC.
• Expertise in laboratory glassware and organic chemistry reaction set up, isolation and purification
• Must demonstrate proficiency in synthesis and purification techniques on scales ranging from milligrams to kilograms.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with computer software such as ChemDraw, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Aptitude and willingness to gain more skills & knowledge.
• Strong attention to detail and superior problem‑solving skills.
• Clear and concise communication skills.
• Effectively presents ideas and concepts.
• Good presentation skills.
• Demonstrates leadership skills.
• Ability to train others effectively.
• Capable of effective mentoring.
• Leads by example.
• Good mentoring skills.
• Basic understanding of business concepts
• Good understanding and effective participation of continuous improvement processes

Education, Experience & Licensing Requirements

• B.S./B.A. in Chemistry with 18 – 21+ years of experience in related industry. Or M.S. in Organic Chemistry with 12 – 15+ years of related experience. Or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 6 – 10+ years of related experience.
• 1-3 years of previous supervisory or management experience preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and smell. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop. The employee must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required.

Environment and Protective Equipment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually very quiet. Works with or around hazardous waste. It is expected that you will receive and maintain Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) training annually.

Travel

Little expected travel time.

Supervision Received

Works under limited supervision.

Compensation

The hiring range in Colorado for this position is $115,000/year - $160,000/year and is eligible for an annual bonus depending on site performance.

Benefits

Benefits include medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage; HSA and FSA options; a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match; paid time off; paid sick leave; employer‑paid life and disability coverage; paid parental leave after one year of service; and wellness and emotional support programs.

Cambrex is committed to providing a safe and productive work environment. All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a comprehensive pre-employment screen. The pre-employment screen may consist of several components including but not limited to a drug test, criminal record check, identity verification, reference checks, education and employment verification, and may vary based on federal, state, and local laws. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.

All requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Cambrex Corporation is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), ancestry, national origin, place of birth, age, marital status, disability/handicap, genetic information, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state, and/or local law.

This role will be posted on September 15, 2026, and we anticipate it will remain open for at least 5 calendar days.