Senior Process Development Chemist - Remote

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote

Work-life balance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Development Chemist for a fully remote role in pharmaceutical R&D. You will design and optimize synthetic routes for APIs, scaling processes from lab to pilot plant with a global virtual team.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry or Process Chemistry with at least 6 years of industry experience, strong analytical skills (HPLC/GC/NMR/MS), and proven GMP experience.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or Process Chemistry required.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant industry experience in pharmaceutical process development.
• Proven expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and route design.
• Strong understanding of scale-up challenges and chemical engineering principles.
• Experience with analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, NMR, MS).
• GMP knowledge and experience in regulatory submissions.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute synthetic routes for complex organic molecules with emphasis on efficiency, scalability, and cost.
• Optimize reaction conditions, purification methods, and isolation procedures for APIs.
• Conduct process hazard assessments and ensure safe handling of chemicals and intermediates.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot-plant scale and resolve scale-up issues.
• Develop analytical methods for in-process control and final product release.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists and manufacturing teams for technology transfer.
• Prepare development reports, batch records, and regulatory submission documents.
• Troubleshoot chemical process issues in development and manufacturing.
• Stay updated on new process chemistry technologies and methodologies.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to R&D growth.

Skills

Synthetic organic chemistry

Route design

Analytical techniques

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry or Process Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

NMR

MS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected pharmaceutical research company, is seeking an accomplished Senior Process Development Chemist to join their remote team. This position is fully remote, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will be instrumental in developing and optimizing synthetic routes and chemical processes for novel drug candidates, bridging the gap between early-stage research and clinical development. This role requires a deep understanding of organic chemistry, process chemistry principles, and scale-up challenges. You will work collaboratively with a virtual team of scientists and engineers, driving the efficient and robust production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). We are looking for a scientifically rigorous individual with a proven track record in process development, who can operate independently and contribute innovative solutions in a remote setting. Your role will directly support the advancement of our client's pipeline, ensuring the successful transition of compounds from discovery to manufacturing. The ability to manage complex synthetic challenges and troubleshoot effectively in a virtual environment is essential for this role. The focus is on meticulous planning and execution of chemical development strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, focusing on efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Optimize reaction conditions, purification methods, and isolation procedures for APIs.
• Conduct process hazard assessments and ensure safe handling of chemicals and intermediates.
• Scale up chemical processes from laboratory to pilot plant scale, identifying and resolving scale-up issues.
• Develop analytical methods for in-process control and final product release.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless technology transfer.
• Prepare detailed development reports, batch records, and regulatory submission documents.
• Troubleshoot and resolve chemical process-related issues encountered during development and manufacturing.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and methodologies in process chemistry and pharmaceutical development.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to the technical growth of the R&D team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Process Chemistry.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant industry experience in pharmaceutical process development.
• Proven expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and route design.
• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles and scale-up challenges.
• Experience with analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, NMR, MS).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote environment.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience in technical writing.
• Knowledge of GMP guidelines and regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE) is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Fully remote working arrangement offering significant work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge pharmaceutical R&D projects.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of life-saving medicines.
• Collaborative and innovative virtual team environment.