Experienced Pharma Organic Chemist

About the role

Cogent Scientific, an insourced contract research organization, is seeking an Experienced Pharma Organic Chemist to support the life sciences industry by delivering specialized laboratory services that advance research, foster collaboration, and accelerate innovation through quality and a shared commitment to excellence. This role offers the opportunity to build on your skills and knowledge while working among experts in their fields and with cutting-edge instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that people and their environment are safe and that company policies concerning safety are followed.
• Understand and comply with corporate, divisional, and departmental procedures, including FRAP, current good manufacturing practices, safety, and other applicable regulations. Participate in the establishment and maintenance of PRD Quality systems.
• Execute synthesis across multiple concurrent drug development projects, spanning early-stage route scouting through late-stage process optimization:
  • Carry out Bayesian-designed organic chemistry experiments (e.g., Suzuki/Buchwald-Hartwig, peptide coupling and cleavage) to improve product purity and support candidate progression timelines.
  • Generate data used to optimize reaction conditions, improving yield and purity.
  • Execute experiments and provide data supporting kinetic model development to identify key impurities and drive mitigation and purity-improvement strategies.
  • Develop and validate UPLC and other analytical methods to support analytical needs for reaction development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional small molecule, peptide, and oligonucleotide development teams to troubleshoot reactions and share insights.
• Author or contribute to technical reports reflecting the work performed.
• Ensure that records and technical notebooks are maintained in alignment with Good Documentation Practices.
• Demonstrate engagement and employ a quality mindset in all endeavors by proactively identifying quality issues and communicating appropriately.
• Track progress against assigned experimental timelines.

Requirements

• BS in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or related field with 5+ years of organic chemistry experience outside of academia (pharma preferred), or MS with 2+ years of related laboratory experience.
• Strong bench chemistry skills across small molecule, peptide, and oligonucleotide synthesis and analytical support.
• Familiarity with Bayesian-optimized experimentation and/or kinetic modeling workflows.
• Detail-oriented approach with a consistent track record of producing high-quality experimental results across multiple concurrent projects.
• Variety of experience across synthetic and analytical chemistry roles.
• Ability to prioritize multiple activities and manage ambiguity.
• Authorization to handle controlled drugs.
• Experience with discovery, development, manufacturing, and/or process support.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated collaborative abilities (internally and externally).
• Experience with UPLC method development and validation.

Core Values

• Client Focused: We only succeed when our clients succeed.
• Outstanding: We deliver meticulous results through outstanding performance.
• Good: We act ethically and morally.
• Employee-Centric: We honor and support our employees.
• Nimble: We are prepared to adapt in an ever-changing industry.
• Team-Oriented: We collaborate with each other and with our clients.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Parental leave
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays

This position may include relocation benefits.

Schedule

Day shift (approximately 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM local time).