Lead Process Development Scientist

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,921,000 - 2,881,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation

Fully remote

Career advancement

Learning & development

Impactful team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Lead Process Development Scientist to drive process improvements and scale-up initiatives within an R&D division. This fully remote role offers the opportunity to influence manufacturing processes from a distance.

You will design, optimize, and validate robust chemical or biological processes that align with commercial manufacturing needs, guiding a remote team and ensuring successful technology transfer and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in process development and scale-up within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or chemical industry.
• Proven track record in developing and optimizing complex chemical or biological manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of manufacturing processes for new and existing products.
• Design and execute experiments to understand critical process parameters and define operating ranges.
• Develop process validation strategies and oversee execution to ensure robust and reproducible manufacturing.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure successful technology transfer and compliance.
• Troubleshoot process issues encountered during scale-up and commercial production.
• Mentor junior scientists and engineers, providing technical guidance and fostering professional development in a remote setting.

Skills

Leadership

Remote team management

Process development

Scale-up

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field

Tools

PAT (Process Analytical Technology)

Design of Experiments (DoE)

Statistical analysis

Job description

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Lead Process Development Scientist to drive critical process improvements and scale-up initiatives within their R&D division. This is a fully remote position, offering an exciting opportunity to influence manufacturing processes from a distance. You will be responsible for designing, optimizing, and validating robust and scalable chemical or biological processes that align with commercial manufacturing needs. This role requires a deep understanding of process chemistry, engineering principles, and regulatory requirements, combined with strong leadership and communication skills. The ideal candidate will guide a team of scientists and engineers, fostering innovation and ensuring the efficient translation of laboratory findings into reliable production methods. Contribute to impactful product development within a forward-thinking, globally connected organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of manufacturing processes for new and existing products.
• Design and execute experiments to understand critical process parameters and define operating ranges.
• Develop process validation strategies and oversee execution to ensure robust and reproducible manufacturing.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure successful technology transfer and compliance.
• Troubleshoot process issues encountered during scale-up and commercial production.
• Mentor junior scientists and engineers, providing technical guidance and fostering professional development in a remote setting .

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in process development and scale-up within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or chemical industry.
• Proven track record in developing and optimizing complex chemical or biological manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of process analytical technology (PAT), Design of Experiments (DoE), and statistical analysis.
• Experience with technology transfer and validation activities is essential.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills, crucial for leading a remote team .

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Fully remote work arrangement with considerable flexibility.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership.
• Support for continuous learning and professional development.
• Be part of a high-impact team driving innovation in process development.