Staff Chemist

Paladin Labs Inc.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Par Health is seeking a Staff Synthetic Chemist to design and execute complex organic syntheses for analytical reference standards in support of API and Drug Product businesses.

You will lead the Reference Standards Program, collaborate with Analytical R&D, Quality Control, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure ICH and cGMP compliance, and mentor junior chemists in a fast-paced DEA-regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 3+ years of related industrial experience.
• M.S. in Organic Chemistry with 5+ years of related industrial experience.
• B.S. in Chemistry with 8+ years of related industrial experience.
• Proven track record in organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and purification techniques.
• Strong ability to interpret complex NMR and MS data for structure elucidation.
• Familiarity with cGMP, FDA and ICH regulatory guidelines.
• Excellent technical writing and notebook-drafting skills.
• Experience working in a DEA-regulated environment and lab safety culture.

Responsibilities

• Design, troubleshoot, and execute complex multi-step syntheses to create reference standards (gram to multigram scale).
• Perform structural elucidation using NMR, LC-MS, GC-MS, IR to confirm structures.
• Lead the Reference Standard Program lifecycle, CoAs, and requalification schedules.
• Collaborate with process chemistry and QC to set purity specs and methods.
• Ensure work aligns with cGMP and regulatory filings; contribute to technical reports.
• Mentor junior chemists and promote rigorous lab safety practices.
• Maintain compliance with QA, EH&S, and DEA policies; manage inventory tracking.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Reaction mechanisms

Route scouting

NMR interpretation

Mass spectrometry

Technical writing

Mentorship

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

M.S. in Organic Chemistry

B.S. in Chemistry

Tools

Flash chromatography

Prep-HPLC

Crystallization

NMR

LC-MS

Job description

Why Us? At Par Health, we believe great healthcare is built on getting the essentials right. We’re looking for passionate, talented individuals who share our commitment to improving lives. With a global workforce, we lead with pride and purpose-prioritizing quality and safety while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and teamwork. Elevating the Essentials isn’t just our tagline, it’s the higher standard we live by every day.

Job Description Summary

The Staff Synthetic Chemist position within the Par Health API Development and Support organization synthesizes small molecule analytical reference standards in support of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and Drug Product businesses. In this critical role, you will design and execute complex, multi-step organic syntheses to generate analytical reference standards, including API impurities, degradants, and metabolites. Beyond bench execution, you will serve as the technical lead for our Reference Standards Program, collaborating closely with Analytical R&D, Quality Control, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure compliance with ICH guidelines and cGMP requirements. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in structural elucidation, a passion for solving complex synthetic challenges, and the ability to support a wide variety of activities related to the program.

Job Description Essential Functions

• Complex Synthesis & Purification: Design, troubleshoot, and execute multi-step synthetic routes to produce small molecule reference standards (typically on gram to multigram scale) representing API impurities, degradants, and metabolic products.
• Structural Elucidation: Perform advanced isolation and characterization of synthesized compounds using modern analytical techniques (NMR, LC-MS, GC-MS, IR, etc.) to confirm chemical structures.
• Reference Standard Program Technical Leadership: Oversee the lifecycle of the reference standard inventory. Drive the generation, review and approval of Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) and manage requalification schedules in alignment with regulatory standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with process chemistry team to identify potential process impurities and with analytical chemistry team / QC to develop specifications and test methods for purity determination and standard qualification.
• Regulatory & Quality: Ensure all synthetic work and documentation align with cGMP expectations and ICH guidelines. Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and regulatory filings.
• Mentorship & Safety: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior synthetic chemists. Champion a culture of rigorous lab safety, proactive hazard assessment, and immaculate chemical hygiene.
• Compliance: Remains compliant with Company, Quality, Environmental Health & Safety, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) policies and procedures.
• Inventory: Helps maintain system used to track reference standards inventory.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with a minimum 3 years of related industrial experience; MS (thesis preferred) in Organic Chemistry with a minimum 5 years of related industrial experience; BS in Chemistry with a minimum of 8 years of related industrial experience.
• Technical Expertise: Exceptional track record in organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and route scouting. Demonstrated proficiency in advanced purification techniques (normal/reverse-phase flash chromatography, prep-HPLC, crystallization).
• Analytical Acumen: Able to interpret complex NMR spectra and mass spectrometry data for structural elucidation of unknown or complex organic molecules.
• Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of pharmaceutical development, API manufacturing, and the role of reference standards in analytical method development and validation. Familiarity with cGMP, FDA, and ICH regulatory guidelines.
• Communication Skills: Excellent technical writing skills for maintaining laboratory notebooks, drafting CoAs, and authoring comprehensive technical reports.
• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, adapt to shifting priorities, and creatively overcome difficult synthetic roadblocks.
• Working Conditions: Standard laboratory conditions within a DEA-regulated environment. Employees must wear eye protection, lab coat, and safety shoes while in the lab area. Occasional handling of potent compounds or hazardous chemicals may require the use of additional PPE. May occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Must be able to pass background check and drug test for handling of controlled substances.
• EEO Statement: We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment, and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Come join us! At Par Health, we believe great healthcare is built on getting the essentials right. We’re looking for passionate, talented individuals who share our commitment to improving lives. With a global workforce, we lead with pride and purpose-prioritizing quality and safety while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and teamwork. Elevating the Essentials isn’t just our tagline, it’s the higher standard we live by every day.