Lead Chemical Process R&D Scientist

Start Date: ASAP

Hybrid: Up to 2 days home office per week

Our client, a leading global pharmaceutical company, is seeking an experienced Senior Process Chemist / Technical Team Lead to drive chemical process development activities supporting molecules in clinical development.

This role focuses on late-stage process development, scale-up, technology transfer, and manufacturing support, ensuring safe, efficient, scalable, and sustainable processes for drug substance production. The position combines hands‑on scientific leadership with the coordination of external development and manufacturing partners.

• Lead chemical process development activities for drug substance projects in clinical development.
• Manage and mentor a small team of process chemists and scientific associates in a matrix environment.
• Oversee external development and manufacturing activities at CDMOs, including technical transfers and process scale-up.
• Drive process optimisation, route scouting, manufacturing readiness, and supply activities for APIs and advanced intermediates.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of development milestones and material supply.
• Ensure compliance with quality, safety, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.
• Contribute scientific expertise to project strategy and decision‑making throughout development.

• PhD (or Postdoctoral training) in Synthetic Organic Chemistry
  .
• Minimum 5 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in chemical process R&D.
• Strong expertise in late-stage process development, optimisation, and scale-up
  .
• Demonstrated experience leading scientific teams and managing project deliverables.
• Proven track record working with and overseeing CDMOs
  , including technology transfer and manufacturing activities.
• Excellent understanding of process chemistry principles and drug substance development.
• Proficiency with chemistry software, literature and patent search tools, DoE applications, analytical tools, and project planning platforms.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken.

• Experience operating within GMP-regulated environments.
• Knowledge of kinetic modelling or scale-up simulation software.
• German language skills are advantageous.