Chemist I

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Polymer / Process Development Chemist will provide technical expertise, hands-on experimentation, and process development support for the Resin Synthesis team, focusing on polymerization, grafting, functionalization, and scale-up of specialty chromatographic resins.
• This role bridges R&D and Operations, enabling robust, efficient, and scalable manufacturing processes that meet quality, yield, and performance requirements.
• The ideal candidate is a self-driven chemist with strong polymer chemistry fundamentals, experience in translating bench-scale methods into production-scale processes, and a passion for continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process Development & Scale-Up.
• Develop, optimize, and document polymerization, grafting, and functionalization processes for new and existing resin products.
• Conduct small-scale and pilot-scale experiments to evaluate reaction conditions, kinetics, reagent ratios, mixing profiles, and heat transfer characteristics.
• Support production scale-up activities including DOE studies, process mapping, and parameter window definition.
• Partner with R&D to transfer new resin technologies into manufacturing using structured tech-transfer methodologies.

Manufacturing Support:

• Serve as the on-floor technical resource for Resin Synthesis, troubleshooting deviations, out-of-trend results, or process bottlenecks.
• Analyze batch data to identify trends in yields, particle size distributions, reaction profiles, and other critical QC metrics.
• Collaborate with engineers, manufacturing chemists, and QC analysts to resolve in-process issues and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Support validation, verification, and characterization of equipment, reactors, filters, and analytical tools.

Data Analysis & Documentation:

• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, development reports, and process summaries.
• Generate and update batch records, SOPs, work instructions, and training materials for resin processes.
• Support creation of risk assessments (pFMEA), control plans, and critical parameter monitoring systems.
• Summarize experimental findings and present recommendations to cross-functional teams.

Quality & Compliance:

• Ensure all development and manufacturing activities comply with internal Quality Management Systems (QMS), SOPs, and safety requirements.
• Evaluate raw materials, supplier changes, and material qualifications that impact resin performance.
• Participate in nonconformance investigations, CAPA activities, and root cause analysis.

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify opportunities for yield improvement, cycle time reduction, and waste minimization.
• Lead or support PPI/Lean projects targeting process robustness, reagent utilization, and scale-up efficiency.
• Contribute to long-term process roadmaps, resin portfolio improvements, and modernization initiatives (e.g., digital instructions, Dozuki integration).

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years (BS), 1+ years (MS), or 0–2 years (PhD) of industry experience in polymer synthesis, organic synthesis, or process development.
• Demonstrated experience with polymerization techniques (e.g., suspension, emulsion, grafting, cross-linking).
• Hands-on familiarity with lab-scale and pilot-scale equipment: jacketed reactors, overhead stirring, reflux systems, filtration units, ovens, vacuum systems, particle sizing instruments.
• Strong data analysis skills; ability to interpret batch data, reaction profiles, and analytical characterization results .
• Excellent written communication and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments (ISO 9001 or similar).
• Knowledge of chromatographic resin chemistry (anion exchange, cation exchange, polymer grafting, silica bonding).
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE) and process characterization.
• Familiarity with scale-up methodologies, heat/mass transfer considerations, and mixing studies.
• Understanding of QMS concepts including change control, validation, risk assessments, and CAPA.
• Experience with Lean/PPI methodologies.