Senior Process Development Chemist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Life insurance

Provident fund

Training & development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Development Chemist for a Durban-based pharmaceutical manufacturer. You will optimize and scale-up APIs and intermediates, bridging lab discovery and commercial production.

The role emphasizes process optimization, safety, and regulatory readiness. You will lead development, validation support, and technology transfer to manufacturing, ensuring robust, compliant processes across scales.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years in pharmaceutical process development and scale-up.
• Experience scaling reactions from lab to pilot and commercial scales.
• Familiarity with cGMP and process safety assessments.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up APIs and intermediates for manufacturing.
• Conduct process hazard assessments and implement safety protocols.
• Investigate deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Design experiments to improve yield, purity, and throughput.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to validate control methods.
• Prepare process development reports and support regulatory filings.
• Transfer processes to manufacturing with technical support during validation.
• Evaluate new process technologies to enhance capabilities.

Skills

Process optimization

Scale-up

Analytical methods

HPLC

GC

Documentation

Education

MSc/PhD in Organic Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

KF

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding pharmaceutical manufacturer, is seeking an accomplished Senior Process Development Chemist to join their innovative team based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal . This crucial role involves optimizing and scaling up chemical synthesis processes for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and key intermediates. The incumbent will play a vital part in ensuring efficient, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing processes, bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and commercial production. This position offers an excellent platform for a chemist passionate about process optimization and scale-up within a supportive and forward-thinking organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up synthetic routes for APIs and intermediates, ensuring process robustness and efficiency.
• Conduct detailed process hazard assessments and implement safety protocols for chemical manufacturing.
• Investigate and resolve process deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Design and execute experiments to improve yield, purity, and throughput of existing processes.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate process control methods.
• Prepare clear and concise process development reports and contribute to regulatory filings.
• Transfer developed processes to manufacturing sites, providing technical support during validation batches.
• Evaluate and implement new process technologies to enhance manufacturing capabilities.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development and scale-up.
• Strong understanding of organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and process optimization techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in scaling chemical reactions from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial scales.
• Proficiency in process safety evaluation and risk assessment.
• Experience with analytical techniques relevant to process monitoring (e.g., HPLC, GC, KF).
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a systematic approach to process development.
• Strong documentation and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Familiarity with cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) is essential.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary, an annual performance bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, life insurance, and a provident fund. Opportunities for continuous professional development are emphasized through internal and external training programs, as well as support for attending relevant industry conferences. The role is based in the dynamic coastal city of Durban , offering a stimulating work environment and work-life balance. You will be part of a dedicated team focused on achieving manufacturing excellence in the pharmaceutical industry.