Scientist -Organic Chemistry

Integrated Resources, Inc ( IRI ); Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Integrated Resources, Inc ( IRI ) is seeking an Organic Chemist/Scientist to develop, optimize, and document fatty-acid-related synthesis and purification processes for raw materials used in cell-culture media production.

The role focuses on fatty acids and lipids with potential expansion to other materials. You will perform multi-step syntheses, characterize products with HPLC/LC-MS/NMR, troubleshoot issues, and support transfer of processes to Rockford manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• Industrial experience in organic synthesis and process development is valued.
• Ability to design, optimize, and document multi-step syntheses for lipid-related materials.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute lab experiments for synthesis and process development of fatty acids, glycerides, phospholipids, and related lipids.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes with emphasis on yield, purity, reproducibility, and scalability.
• Develop purification strategies using chromatography, HPLC, crystallization, extraction, and related methods.
• Characterize materials using HPLC, LC-MS/MS, NMR, FT-IR, UV/Vis, and related techniques.
• Troubleshoot reactions and purification processes to meet specifications.
• Perform feasibility studies with alternate starting materials and define conditions for quality targets.
• Support scale-up from lab to gram/hundreds of gram scales and transfer to manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Analytical Development to ensure fit-for-purpose methods.
• Prepare materials for internal evaluation, packaging, process validation, and transfer.
• Write protocols, reports, batch instructions, and technical summaries with traceability.
• Maintain accurate lab records and data integrity for assessments and decisions.
• Work cross-functionally with R&D, Analytical, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and PM teams.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Reaction optimization

Multi-step synthesis

Purification techniques

Analytical data interpretation

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

M.S./Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS/MS

NMR

FT-IR

Job description

The Organic Chemist / Scientist will play a critical role in the Fatty Acid project by developing, optimizing, scaling, and documenting synthetic and purification processes for priority lipid and fatty-acid-related raw materials used to support cell-culture media production. The role will focus initially on fatty acids and lipids, with potential expansion to other priority materials. The scientist will apply strong multi-step organic synthesis, lipid chemistry, purification, and analytical characterization skills to establish robust processes that meet internal raw-material specifications and are suitable for scale-up and transfer to manufacturing.

Responsibilities:

• Design, plan, and independently execute laboratory experiments for synthesis and process development of fatty acids, glycerides, phospholipids, and related lipid molecules.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for priority materials, including fatty acids and lipids, with emphasis on yield, purity, reproducibility, scalability, and raw-material availability.
• Develop and optimize purification strategies for intermediates and final products using normal-phase and reverse-phase chromatography, preparative HPLC/Product chromatography, crystallization, extraction, precipitation, and other appropriate techniques.
• Characterize starting materials, intermediates, impurities, and final products using HPLC, LC-MS/MS or MS, NMR, FT-IR, UV/VIS, ELSD/CAD, and other applicable analytical techniques.
• Investigate impurity profiles and troubleshoot synthesis, purification, stability, and recovery issues that could prevent materials from meeting internal specifications.
• Perform feasibility studies using lower-purity or alternate-source starting materials and define process conditions required to achieve Client product quality.
• Support scale-up from laboratory development to gram/hundreds-of-gram scale and develop processes suitable for transfer to Rockford manufacturing operations.
• Partner with Analytical Development to establish or refine purity and identity methods and ensure analytical methods are fit for process-development decisions.
• Support preparation of material for internal evaluation, packaging/formulation activities, process validation, and manufacturing transfer as required by the project.
• Write experimental protocols, development reports, batch/process instructions, technical summaries, and documentation supporting testing, validation, and production.
• Maintain complete and accurate laboratory records and ensure traceability of experimental conditions, calculations, raw data, observations, deviations, and conclusions.
• Work cross-functionally with R&D, Analytical, Operations, Quality, Procurement/Sourcing, and project-management teams; communicate technical results, risks, recommendations, and project status to stakeholders.
• Adhere to departmental quality systems, chemical hygiene, EHS requirements, and safe laboratory practices.

Required Skills:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Sciences, or a closely related scientific discipline; Bachelor's degree with substantial directly relevant industrial synthetic chemistry experience may also be considered.
• Strong hands-on experience in organic synthesis, reaction optimization, and multi-step synthesis.
• Demonstrated experience with purification of complex organic molecules using chromatography and other preparative purification techniques.
• Hands-on experience interpreting HPLC, LC-MS/MS or MS, NMR, and FT-IR data for reaction monitoring, identity confirmation, purity assessment, and impurity troubleshooting.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot reactions and purification processes and design efficient experiments to resolve technical problems.
• Experience documenting experimental work in a manner suitable for process development, technology transfer, and regulated or quality-controlled environments.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively in a cross-functional project team.
• Excellent written, verbal, data-presentation, and technical communication skills.