Principal Scientist, Process Chemistry

Position: Principal Scientist – Process Chemistry

Location: Coventry, RI

Salary Range: $120k - $170k

About Pharmaron

Pharmaron is a leading global contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) dedicated to helping pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies accelerate drug discovery and bring innovative therapies to market. With over 21,000 employees worldwide across 23 locations in the US, UK and China, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services.

We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported over 780 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes, and 1,000+ clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,000 global customers. To learn more, visit

Job Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Principal Scientist to lead complex chemical development programs within a fast-paced Process Chemistry environment. This role provides scientific leadership across multidisciplinary project teams, supporting API development for GLP toxicology studies and GMP clinical manufacturing while delivering high-quality solutions to clients.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise in synthetic/process chemistry with leadership, mentoring, and client-facing responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and design experimental programs to solve complex chemical development challenges for client projects and internal initiatives.
• Apply advanced process chemistry and retrosynthetic analysis expertise to support API development and process optimization.
• Plan, execute, document, and report experimental work in compliance with applicable GxP, ICH, GMP, and company standards.
• Serve as a scientific leader and mentor to junior scientists and cross-functional project teams.
• Manage and support multiple client projects, including project leadership, reporting, technical discussions, and delivery of project milestones.
• Support technology transfer activities and mixed-model projects across the organization.
• Build strong client relationships, host client visits, and support internal and external audits.
• Stay current with emerging scientific technologies and apply innovative approaches to process chemistry challenges.
• Promote a strong quality culture, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement within the department.
• Maintain accurate training records and ensure compliance with all safety, procedural, and environmental requirements.

What We are Looking for:

• PhD in Chemistry or related field with 7–15 years of relevant industry experience OR MSc in Chemistry or related field with 11–20 years of relevant industry experience
• Strong background in process chemistry, chemical development, and API development within pharmaceutical or biotechnology environments
• Expertise in retrosynthetic analysis and advanced laboratory techniques supporting process optimization and scale-up activities
• Demonstrated success solving complex scientific challenges across development programs
• Experience supporting API drug development within regulated environments
• Strong understanding of GLP/GMP principles and regulatory expectations preferred
• Proven ability to lead scientific initiatives and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Previous mentoring, project leadership, or people leadership experience preferred
• Strong communication and client-facing skills

Why Pharmaron?

Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products. With over 21,000 employees and operations in the U.S., the U.K. and China.

Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.

Collaborative Culture: You will thrive…