Sr. Scientist II (PRD))

About Cambrex

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as comprehensive analytical and IND enabling services. With over 40 years of experience and a team of 2,000 experts servicing global clients from North America and Europe, Cambrex offers specialized drug substance technologies and capabilities, including continuous flow, controlled substances, liquid-phase peptide synthesis, solid-state science, material characterization, and highly potent APIs.

At Cambrex, we strive to build a culture where colleagues engage in work that matters to customers and the patients they serve, learn new skills, enjoy new experiences in an engaging and safe environment, and strengthen connections with coworkers and the community. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare, life insurance, and retirement planning.

About the Role

Perform routine and complex organic synthesis, purification, and analytical evaluation of materials as part of the chemical development team. Optimize synthetic routes to active pharmaceutical ingredients for purity, reproducibility, scalability, and yield. Present work internally and externally to clients or regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

• Carry out multistep organic syntheses, isolation, and purification of targeted products independently.
• Contribute to the strategic approach used to optimize reactions, isolations, and purifications.
• Proficiently conduct analysis of starting materials, reaction mixtures, intermediates, and products using appropriate instrumentation.
• Independently design and propose new synthetic processes to produce the drug substance.
• Work closely with other chemistry and analytical laboratory staff to coordinate project activities and resource usage.
• Generate summaries and reports on completed experimental work for internal and external use.
• Present experimental work orally and in writing for internal meetings and customer teleconferences.
• Ensure teamwork and cooperation within the group.
• Conduct laboratory operations safely, following the company’s chemical hygiene plan and safe work practices.
• Follow responsible actions regarding chemical disposal and maintain compliance with all regulations.
• Address routine administrative requirements in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills (both written and oral) and participate in project team meetings with customers.
• Work closely with manufacturing and GMP operations to coordinate project-related equipment and activities.
• Assist in the transfer of processes to manufacturing teams cross-functionally.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced understanding of general and organic chemistry.
• Understanding of modern organic synthesis reactions, isolations, and purification procedures.
• Full understanding of common synthetic organic reaction mechanisms.
• Proficiency in relevant analytical techniques and instrumentation such as NMR, IR, MS, and HPLC.
• Expertise in laboratory glassware and organic chemistry reaction setup, isolation, and purification.
• Proficiency in synthesis and purification techniques on scales ranging from milligrams to kilograms.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with software such as ChemDraw, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Aptitude and willingness to gain more skills and knowledge.
• Good attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

B.A./B.S. in Chemistry with 12–15+ years of related industry experience, OR M.S. in Organic Chemistry with 6–8+ years of related experience, OR Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 0–3+ years of related experience.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Regularly required to use hands, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and smell.
• Frequently required to sit; occasionally required to stand, walk, and stoop.
• Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required.
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibration; noise level is usually very quiet.
• Little to no expected travel time.

Benefits

• Healthcare
• Life insurance
• Retirement planning