Senior Process Chemist - Scale-Up

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Modern manufacturing and R&D facility

Generous paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Process Chemist with scale-up expertise to join the East London R&D and manufacturing support team. You will optimize laboratory-scale processes for pilot and commercial production, collaborate with chemists and engineers, and drive technology transfer and troubleshooting throughout scale-up.

The role emphasizes safe, efficient scale-up, data-driven decisions, and continuous improvement in chemical production within a modern facility.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with process focus.
• 6+ years in process development and scale-up, pharma or fine chemical.
• Knowledge of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and scale-up principles.
• Experience with process safety assessments and risk management.
• Proficiency in data analysis and process modeling software.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Optimize synthesis routes for safe, efficient scale-up from lab to pilot plant and production.
• Conduct PHAs and implement safety protocols for large-scale operations.
• Design and execute pilot plant runs; gather data for optimization and validation.
• Troubleshoot scale-up and manufacturing issues.
• Develop and implement process control to ensure product quality and yield.
• Collaborate with engineering to design and specify process equipment.

Skills

Process chemistry

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Scale-up experience

Education

Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry

Tools

Process modeling software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Process Chemist with expertise in Scale-Up to join their dynamic R&D and manufacturing support team in East London . This critical role involves optimizing laboratory-scale chemical processes for efficient and safe production at pilot and commercial scales. You will work closely with research chemists and engineers to ensure seamless technology transfer and troubleshooting throughout the scale-up process. This is an exceptional opportunity for a skilled process chemist to contribute to the efficient manufacturing of key products within a highly collaborative and safety-conscious environment, driving continuous improvement in chemical production.

Key Responsibilities

• Optimize chemical synthesis routes for safe, efficient, and cost-effective scale-up from lab to pilot plant and commercial production.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement safety protocols for large-scale operations.
• Design and execute pilot plant runs, gathering critical process data for optimization and validation.
• Troubleshoot process-related issues encountered during scale-up and manufacturing.
• Develop and implement process control strategies to ensure consistent product quality and yield.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to design and specify process equipment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with a strong focus on process chemistry.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process development and scale-up of chemical processes, preferably in the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• In-depth knowledge of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and chemical engineering principles related to scale-up.
• Experience with process safety assessments and risk management.
• Proficiency in data analysis and process modeling software.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Work in a modern manufacturing and R&D facility.
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.
• A strong focus on safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.