Senior Process Development Chemist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and retirement benefits

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Development Chemist for our Upington manufacturing and development site in the Northern Cape. You will optimize and scale API synthesis, focusing on yield, purity, and safety while ensuring GMP compliance.

You will lead process transfer to pilot and commercial scales, collaborate with analytical, engineering, and manufacturing teams, and mentor junior chemists while staying current with advances in process chemistry and catalysis.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in process development chemistry within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Proven track record in optimizing chemical reactions and scaling them from laboratory to pilot plant and/or commercial scale.
• Strong understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and kinetic/thermodynamic principles.
• Experience with process safety evaluation techniques (e.g., reaction calorimetry, HAZOP).
• Familiarity with GMP regulations and requirements for API manufacturing.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up synthetic routes for APIs and intermediates, focusing on yield, purity, and cycle time.
• Conduct process hazard assessments and implement safety protocols to ensure safe operations at all scales.
• Identify and resolve technical challenges encountered during process development and scale-up activities.
• Investigate and troubleshoot manufacturing issues related to chemical processes.
• Prepare detailed process descriptions, batch records, and technical reports for process validation and regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with analytical, engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful process transfer and implementation.
• Perform reaction calorimetry and crystallization studies to understand process thermodynamics and kinetics.
• Stay current with advancements in process chemistry, catalysis, and manufacturing technologies.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to the scientific and technical development of the process chemistry team.

Skills

Process development

Organic synthesis

Scale-up

GMP knowledge

Troubleshooting

Education

Master's/PhD in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a prominent pharmaceutical manufacturer committed to producing high-quality Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). We are seeking an experienced Senior Process Development Chemist to join our manufacturing and development team in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA . This vital role involves optimizing and scaling up chemical processes for API synthesis, ensuring efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry, process optimization, and a thorough understanding of GMP requirements. You will be instrumental in bridging the gap between laboratory-scale synthesis and full-scale commercial manufacturing, contributing to the robust supply of essential medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up synthetic routes for APIs and intermediates, focusing on yield, purity, and cycle time.
• Conduct process hazard assessments and implement safety protocols to ensure safe operations at all scales.
• Identify and resolve technical challenges encountered during process development and scale-up activities.
• Investigate and troubleshoot manufacturing issues related to chemical processes.
• Prepare detailed process descriptions, batch records, and technical reports for process validation and regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with analytical, engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful process transfer and implementation.
• Perform reaction calorimetry and crystallization studies to understand process thermodynamics and kinetics.
• Stay current with advancements in process chemistry, catalysis, and manufacturing technologies.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to the scientific and technical development of the process chemistry team.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in process development chemistry within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Proven track record in optimizing chemical reactions and scaling them from laboratory to pilot plant and/or commercial scale.
• Strong understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and kinetic/thermodynamic principles.
• Experience with process safety evaluation techniques (e.g., reaction calorimetry, HAZOP).
• Familiarity with GMP regulations and requirements for API manufacturing.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and manage multiple projects.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and opportunities for professional development and career advancement. This position, located in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA , offers a unique opportunity to contribute to critical manufacturing processes within a supportive and dynamic work environment. We are dedicated to scientific excellence and providing our employees with the resources and opportunities to grow their careers.