Senior Process Development Scientist - Pharmaceuticals

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement savings plan

Professional development opportunities

Performance-based bonuses

Access to R&D and pilot facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Development Scientist to join a pharmaceutical-focused team in Bloemfontein, offering a hybrid work arrangement. The role focuses on translating lab-scale innovations into robust manufacturing processes, scaling from lab to production, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate holds a master’s or PhD in chemical engineering or chemistry with 7+ years of pharma process development experience, strong problem-solving abilities, and excellent

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• 7+ years of pharmaceutical process development and scale-up experience.
• Proven APIs manufacturing process development experience.
• Strong understanding of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer.
• Experience with process safety evaluations and risk assessments.
• Proficiency in DoE and process modeling software.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs.
• Design and execute experiments to understand process parameters and identify critical process controls.
• Scale-up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and implement CAPAs.
• Develop process models and perform simulations to predict process performance.
• Write technical reports, protocols, and documentation for process development and validation.
• Collaborate with analytical development, formulation, and manufacturing teams.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., cGMP).
• Evaluate new technologies and methodologies for process improvement and innovation.
• Contribute to technology transfer activities to manufacturing sites.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Design of Experiments (DoE)

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Regulatory compliance

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

Process modeling software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking organization in the Pharmaceutical sector, is seeking a skilled Senior Process Development Scientist to join their team in Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA. This role is crucial for developing, optimizing, and scaling up manufacturing processes for pharmaceutical products. You will work on translating laboratory-scale innovations into robust, efficient, and commercially viable manufacturing processes. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a balance between remote work and on-site laboratory and plant operations in Bloemfontein. The ideal candidate possesses a strong scientific background in chemical engineering or a related discipline, coupled with extensive experience in process development within the Pharmaceutical industry. You will be instrumental in ensuring the consistent quality and timely delivery of pharmaceutical products. We are looking for a motivated individual with excellent problem-solving skills and a commitment to scientific excellence and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
• Design and execute experiments to understand process parameters and identify critical process controls.
• Scale-up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Develop process models and perform simulations to predict process performance.
• Write technical reports, protocols, and documentation for process development and validation.
• Collaborate with analytical development, formulation, and manufacturing teams.
• Ensure all process development activities comply with regulatory requirements (e.g., cGMP).
• Evaluate new technologies and methodologies for process improvement and innovation.
• Contribute to technology transfer activities to manufacturing sites.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development and scale-up.
• Proven expertise in developing chemical synthesis routes and manufacturing processes for APIs.
• Strong understanding of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer.
• Experience with process safety evaluations and risk assessments.
• Proficiency in process modeling software and statistical design of experiments (DoE).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment and manage multiple projects.
• Resident in or willing to relocate to the Bloemfontein area.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional development, including advanced training.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Access to modern R&D and pilot plant facilities.
• Collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Contribution to advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.