Principal , Organic Synthesis Chemistry

Overview

Alcon is hiring a Principal I, Organic Synthesis Chemistry to support drug substance development activities from early ideation through technology transfer and process validation.

• Design and experimentally evaluate synthetic routes for manufacture of drug candidates.
• Conceive and develop new synthetic routes or methodologies.
• Conduct internal and external brainstorming sessions, evaluate and prioritize synthetic routes.
• Experimentally evaluate and propose final route of manufacture.
• Leverage expertise in drug design, synthesis, and ADME/PK/pharmacology to support ongoing and new ideation projects.
• Conduct scale‑up activities to supply early pre‑clinical toxicology studies or to achieve proof of concept for manufacturing routes and processes.
• Develop robust manufacturing processes using QbD principles, including reaction screening, profiling, confirming NOR and PAR, design of experiments, impurity fate mapping, spiking & purging, process robustness studies, and FMEAs.
• Understand and control crystal forms, develop chemical processes with high polymorph control.
• Carry out technical transfer of chemical processes to contract manufacturers (CMOs).
• Assist with process development, risk assessments, optimization, qualification, and validation of API manufacturing operations.
• Provide support for chemical process development and manufacturing activities at contract research and manufacturing vendors.
• Address issues effectively and select appropriate approaches to obtain best results.
• Translate manufacturing instructions and process development data into approvable regulatory process submissions.
• Author SOPs and documents for regulatory submission.
• Maintain good laboratory records and summarize results in well‑written reports and oral presentations.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (or high school +13 yrs, Associate +9 yrs, MS +2 yrs, PhD +0 yrs).
• Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking).
• 5+ years of relevant experience (preferred 2‑5 years of synthetic chemistry experience).
• Expert synthetic organic chemist with Ph.D. in Synthetic/Organic Chemistry.
• Strong knowledge of synthetic methodology, reaction mechanisms, and chemical literature.
• Hands‑on experience in process scale‑up and technology transfer to third parties.
• Good understanding of process and crystallization control, physical properties, and analysis techniques (XRPD, DSC, TGA, etc.).
• Ability to use and interpret mass spectral data and NMR for structure elucidation.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment with internal and external teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.
• Experience with GMP, CMC activities, ICH guidance, QbD, technology transfer, spiking/purging/specification setting.
• Experience with high‑throughput/data‑rich experimentation, such as DoE.
• PO knowledge of HPLC (Empower a plus).
• Strong mechanistic understanding of organic chemistry and significant process development expertise.

• Ph.D. in Synthetic/Organic Chemistry with 2‑5 years of relevant synthetic chemistry experience.

Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and more. Travel up to 10%.

ALCON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY. Alcon takes pride in maintaining an inclusive environment that values different perspectives. Our policies are non‑discriminatory in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please send an email to