Senior Scientist - Chemical Engineer for API Manufacturing Process Development

Why Patients Need You

Pfizer’s purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer’s purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best in class medicines to patients around the world.

What You will Achieve

We are seeking a highly motivated chemical engineer for the role of Senior Scientist-Chemical Engineer for API Process Development within Chemical Research and Development (CRD) in Groton, CT. You will join a diverse team responsible for developing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) processes for use at manufacturing plants across Pfizer’s network. Chemical engineering principles contribute to the successful development, optimization and scale up of API manufacturing processes. You will design and perform engineering-related laboratory experiments, in combination with process simulation and statistics. Strong communication, high technical aptitude, and creativity to foster original ideas are required for success in this position.

CRD, as part of Pfizer R&D in Pharmaceutical Sciences, is responsible for the development of process technology to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). CRD scientists engage in all facets of development from small-scale synthesis in support of medicinal chemistry programs, to the development of the commercial synthetic route. In collaboration with chemists and analysts, you will lead the engineering activities during process development, process scale up, and technology transfer to our clinical and commercial manufacturing sites and external facilities. Given the dynamic team environment and fast-paced project timelines, strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential. This laboratory-based position offers the opportunity for cross-training and innovation of new technologies and processes.

How You Will Achieve It

• Apply chemical engineering principles to design and perform experiments using modern laboratory instrumentation to develop robust unit operations and increase process understanding.
• Assess scalability and robustness for API processes with understanding of large-scale manufacturing equipment, capabilities, and operations.
• Select, develop, and apply new process technologies (batch, semi-batch, and continuous flow) to facilitate process design to achieve project goals.
• Support technology transfer of processes to internal clinical and commercial API manufacturing facilities and external suppliers. May spend time at the commercial launch site supporting process validation activities. 
• Apply process simulation tools and statistical packages to understand the kinetic and thermodynamic factors impacting various unit operations, such as reaction, extraction, distillation, crystallization, filtration, and drying.
• Prepare internal research reports and technical presentations summarizing API process development activities to capture process knowledge and transfer process understanding to Pfizer’s commercial manufacturing. 
• Champion the development of novel laboratory instrumentation and computational tools to increase knowledge capture and process understanding. Support the development and implementation of new and existing workflows and methodologies.
• Remain current with the process engineering and chemistry literature. May collaborate and author external publications and present research at external conferences.
• Contribute to the preparation of the Chemistry and Manufacturing Controls (CMC) section of the New Drug Application (NDA). Participate in data verification, PAI preparedness, and post submission query response.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• MS in Chemical Engineering with 5+ years of experience or PhD in Chemical Engineering with 0-3 years of relevant experience
• Excellent knowledge of chemistry and chemical engineering principles and sound understanding of applied reaction kinetics, reactor design, chemical thermodynamics, heat and mass transport, engineering statistics, and process modeling
• Outstanding laboratory skills, attention to detail, and ability to solve technical problems
• Exceptional interpersonal, multi-disciplinary team collaboration, and communication skills

Nice-to-Have

• Working knowledge of reaction modeling, property prediction, and process simulation tools including: Aspen, gPROMS, DynoChem, VisiMix, and COSMOtherm
• A good foundational understanding of organic chemistry
• Demonstrated laboratory and computational experience in reaction engineering topics
• Working knowledge of crystallization development
• Working knowledge of Design of Experiment (DOE) studies and statistical analysis
• Working knowledge of analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, MS, PXRD, DSC, TGA, and NMR
• Working knowledge of application of in-situ analysis tools to process understanding including: FTIR, Raman, FBRM, UV/Vis
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) expertise in M-Star or Fluent
• Programing experience, including Python and/or Matlab
• Applied data science methods, such as machine learning and AI
• Experience in automating laboratory equipment and processes including use of LabView

Other Job Details:

• Eligible for Employee Referral Bonus: YES
• Eligible for Relocation Package: YES

 
 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work in a laboratory environment performing experiments in a laboratory fume hood.  Ability to perform complex data analysis.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Some travel associated with technology transfer to CRD pilot plant and PGS new product launch site may be required. 

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $88,300.00 to $147,100.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 12.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations.  These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure.  Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act.  Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government.  If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.  Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.  Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.  This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Research and Development

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