Principal Process Chemist

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Principal Process Chemist to lead critical process development initiatives within their state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D facility in Reading . This senior role is essential for optimizing existing chemical manufacturing processes and developing scalable, cost-effective, and robust new synthetic routes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). You will be responsible for driving innovation in chemical manufacturing, ensuring efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance. This is a prime opportunity for an experienced process chemist to exert significant influence on product development and manufacturing strategies in a highly respected pharmaceutical company.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize scalable synthetic routes for APIs and key intermediates.
• Conduct process safety assessments and implement robust control strategies to ensure safe operations.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process development and scale-up activities.
• Utilize Quality by Design (QbD) principles to develop well-understood and controlled manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists, engineers, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless technology transfer.
• Author process development reports, validation protocols, and regulatory submission documents.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in process development and scale-up of chemical synthesis, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Extensive knowledge of organic synthesis, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and chemical engineering principles.
• Proven experience with process optimization, PAT (Process Analytical Technology), and QbD methodologies.
• Strong understanding of cGMP requirements and regulatory guidelines for API manufacturing.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills for effectively managing projects in Reading .

Benefits

• Excellent salary and comprehensive benefits package, including profit sharing.
• Top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous annual leave and opportunities for extended leave.
• Significant investment in professional development, training, and conference participation.
• Access to advanced pilot plant facilities and analytical instrumentation for process chemistry research.