Development Scientist

Croda is a FTSE
100 organization driven around our purpose of Smart Science to Improve Lives™. With over 6,000 employees across 39 countries, we are focused on the research and development of novel and highly sustainable raw materials for the Life Sciences and Consumer Care sectors.

We are passionate and excited about how we can develop and utilize new technologies to shape and inspire changes within an ever-growing marketplace. As our business looks to deliver its ambitious strategy of growth, we are looking for a Development Scientist to join our Process Development group.

This position is responsible for development, optimization, and scale‑up of cGMP manufacturing processes through hands‑on laboratory experimentation, data analysis, and technical documentation. This role provides a strong technical foundation and growth path toward senior technical leadership roles. The Development Scientist position may be filled at Level I, II or III, based on education, experience, and demonstrated capability.

Be part of a team that values diversity, sustainability, and continuous innovation, where your ideas and contributions matter.

The Development Scientist I is an individual contributor who performs assigned tasks under direction and mentorship. The Development Scientist II / III is an individual contributor role with increasing autonomy and technical accountability based on level.

• Responsible for the planning and execution of multi‑step syntheses from laboratory to commercialization, applying sound scientific principles, literature knowledge, and structured experimental approaches such as DoE and QbD.
• Responsibilities include process development, implementation, technology transfer support, validation activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Works in a collaborative, cross‑functional environment and is expected to independently plan and execute laboratory work, interpret results, and communicate findings clearly.
• Own the development, optimization, and scale‑up of robust, safe, and cost‑effective synthetic processes from laboratory through commercial manufacturing scale in compliance with cGMP requirements.
• Design, execute, and interpret laboratory and pilot‑scale experiments to establish process understanding, identify critical quality attributes (CQAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs), and define appropriate operating ranges.
• Plan, prioritize, and manage multiple development projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery against timelines, quality standards, and cost targets.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert in cGMP manufacturing operations applying fundamental chemistry and engineering principles to resolve complex manufacturing issues, troubleshoot challenges including investigation of deviations, non‑conformances, and process changes; and recommend effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluate existing manufacturing processes to identify and implement improvements in efficiency, robustness, quality, safety, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance.
• Author, review, and maintain GMP documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), batch production records (BPRs), validation protocols, and technical reports, ensuring data integrity and compliance.
• Communicate complex technical information effectively through written reports, presentations, and verbal discussions with internal teams, departmental, site, and global leadership, as well as clients and external collaborators.

At Croda, we believe our people are the heart of our success. We are committed to fostering an environment where you can grow, make a meaningful impact, and thrive.

• M.S. in organic chemistry or related field (entry‑level; academic research experience preferred), or
• B.S. in organic chemistry or related field with ~ 1 to 3 years of relevant industrial or academic research experience

• Ph.D. in organic chemistry or related field (entry‑level industry or postdoctoral experience acceptable), or
• B.S. or M.S. in organic chemistry or related field with ~ 3 to 5 years of relevant industrial experience (cGMP experience…