Lead Chemical Process R&D Scientist; m​/f​/d

For a leading pharmaceutical company, we are looking for a qualified

Lead Chemical Process R&D Scientist (m/f/d)

General Information:

• Location:
  
  Basel
• Workload: 100%
• Start: ASAP
• Duration: 12 months (extension possible)
• Home Office: up to 40%
• Travel:
  Occasional travel (up to 4 trips per year) to CDMOs in Europe or Asia

Your Responsibilities:

• Lead chemical process research and development activities for clinical-stage pharmaceutical projects, with a strong focus on late-stage development and process optimization.
• Manage and guide internal process chemistry teams of up to five scientists and associates in a matrix leadership role.
• Oversee external development and manufacturing activities at CDMOs, ensuring alignment with project objectives, timelines, quality standards, and budget expectations.
• Drive synthetic route scouting, process optimization, process understanding, scale-up activities, and delivery of drug substance material.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely, safe, and cost-effective supply of APIs and advanced intermediates.
• Lead technology transfer activities from development to manufacturing environments.
• Ensure all activities comply with safety, quality, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.
• Utilize scientific expertise and data-driven approaches to support process development decisions and project strategy.
• Contribute to project planning, risk assessment, technical documentation, and cross-functional decision-making.

Your Profile:

• PhD or Postdoctoral qualification in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.
• Minimum 5 years of pharmaceutical chemical process R&D experience, with demonstrated expertise in late-stage process development and scale-up.
• Proven track record of leading scientific teams and driving project deliverables within process chemistry organizations.
• Strong experience managing external development, technology transfer, and manufacturing activities at CDMOs.
• Deep understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, process optimization, scale-up principles, and manufacturing support.
• Proficient in chemistry-related software and tools, including chemical drawing programs, literature and patent search platforms, Design of Experiments (DoE) applications, analytical software, and project management tools.
• Experience with kinetic modelling and process simulation software is considered an advantage.
• Familiarity with GMP environments and pharmaceutical development processes is a plus.
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent English is mandatory;
  German language skills are advantageous.

Please note:

Only CVs in English can be accepted and submitted for this role.