Senior Process Chemist - Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Placements24; United States; Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Performance-based bonuses

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Chemist for our manufacturing operations in Welkom, Free State, to optimize and scale-up API synthesis. You will apply synthetic organic chemistry and process development to ensure safe, cost-effective production and robust processes.

The role blends on-site lab/plant work with remote analysis and documentation, offering significant impact on the supply of essential medicines and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Process Chemistry.
• Minimum 5 years in process development and scale-up in pharma or fine chemicals.
• Strong knowledge of synthesis, kinetics, thermodynamics and catalysis.
• Experience with GMP and safety protocols in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up routes for APIs and intermediates.
• Conduct lab studies to investigate mechanisms and key parameters.
• Perform PHAs and implement safety measures in operations.
• Transfer processes from lab to pilot/production scale.
• Collaborate on analytical methods for in-process controls and release.
• Author and review development reports, validation protocols, and MRBs.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate new technologies to improve yield and sustainability.
• Support process validation and regulatory submissions.
• Mentor junior chemists and guide manufacturing teams.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Reaction kinetics

Thermodynamics

Catalysis

GMP compliance

Analytical methods

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Process Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

MS

NMR

IR

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the pharmaceutical industry, is seeking a talented Senior Process Chemist to join their manufacturing operations in Welkom, Free State . This role is crucial for the optimization and scale-up of chemical processes involved in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The successful candidate will leverage their expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and process development to ensure efficient, safe, and cost-effective production. This hybrid role offers the flexibility to blend on-site laboratory and plant work with remote analysis and documentation, promoting a productive work environment. You will contribute to the development and validation of robust manufacturing processes, ensuring the highest quality standards are met. Your work will directly impact the reliable supply of essential medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up synthetic routes for APIs and key intermediates, ensuring process robustness and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to investigate reaction mechanisms, identify critical process parameters, and troubleshoot process issues.
• Perform process hazard assessments (PHAs) and implement appropriate safety measures.
• Transfer chemical processes from laboratory scale to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods for in-process controls and final product release.
• Author and review process development reports, validation protocols, and batch manufacturing records.
• Ensure all process development activities comply with GMP guidelines and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and methodologies to improve process efficiency, yield, and sustainability.
• Support process validation activities and regulatory submissions.
• Mentor junior chemists and provide technical guidance to manufacturing personnel.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in process development and scale-up within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Strong knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and catalysis.
• Demonstrated experience with process hazard analysis and safety protocols in a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with GMP regulations and their application in pharmaceutical process development.
• Experience with analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC, MS, NMR, and IR spectroscopy.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and creatively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document research and present findings effectively.
• Proficiency in process simulation and modeling software is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, collaborating with teams both on-site in Welkom, Free State and remotely.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, a retirement savings plan, performance-based bonuses, and significant opportunities for professional development. We foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, offering a stimulating work environment. The hybrid nature of this role provides flexibility while ensuring engagement with critical manufacturing processes. Join our team in Welkom, Free State and contribute to the advancement of pharmaceutical manufacturing.