Principal Scientist - Process Chemistry

Job Title:

Principal Scientist, Process Chemistry

Reports To:

Director of Process Chemistry

Location:

Boston (On-Site)

Job Type: Full-Time

Founded in 1999, Asymchem is a global integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) providing drug R&D and manufacturing for leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Our mission is to drive smarter, greener, and more cost-effective manufacturing to support clinical research and commercialization. Asymchem currently operates eight manufacturing facilities offering solutions ranging from early clinical stage to commercial stage, including R&D, cGMP production of advanced intermediates, APIs, formulations, and clinical research services.

Asymchem Group, headquartered in Tianjin, P. R. China, is a publicly traded company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (stock code 002821.SZ).

The Principal Scientist leads the design and optimization of synthetic routes for key small molecule intermediates and APIs, ensuring efficient, scalable, and robust processes. Responsibilities include multi‑step synthesis, scale‑up, and troubleshooting, with a strong emphasis on analytical characterization and process development. The role involves close collaboration with senior chemists, active participation in tech transfer and cGMP activities, and regular client communication.

The scientist also prepares detailed R&D reports and contributes to project strategy and execution.

• Lead development projects including summarizing/interpreting data, solving technical problems, leading client meetings, and achieving timelines and budgets.
• Effectively communicate work to team, clients, and organization in oral and written forms.
• Propose and implement new experimental designs and concepts; plan and perform laboratory experiments independently.
• Develop robust processes for the target molecule ensuring safe, reproducible, and scalable manufacturing in large‑scale equipment.
• Troubleshoot complex chemistry problems and process issues.
• Show expertise in modern analytical techniques, such as HPLC, GC, NMR, MS, XRPD, and purification of organic compounds.
• Apply concepts of reaction kinetics, design of experiments, solubility and crystallization, mass transfer, heat transfer, and process safety.
• Keep abreast of relevant literature and maintain expertise in own field. Manage IP position for a project.
• Contribute directly to technology transfer to internal sites and collaborate with scientists within and outside functional areas.
• Carry out scale‑up of intermediates and APIs independently and collaboratively in the process chemistry kilo lab.
• Perform laboratory operations safely, ensuring compliance with process safety guidelines, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and regulations at all levels.
• Participate in setting up the process chemistry laboratory at Asymchem Boston’s new R&D center
  
  Cele:
• Contribute to general laboratory maintenance activities.
• Perform other related duties as may be reasonably assigned.

• PhD in Organic Chemistry with 5–7 years of hands‑on experience in the pharmaceutical or CDMO industry.
• Minimum 3 years of specialized experience in Process Chemistry, including work in kilo labs, technology transfer, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with GMP compliance and ICH quality guidelines is a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize in a highly dynamic environment.
• Experience in process research and development with demonstrated success in scaling processes is desirable.

• Day 1 Coverage:
  Medical, Vision (Company‑paid), and Dental Insurance
• Company‑paid:
  Life Insurance, Short‑Term Disability (STD), and Long‑Term Disability (LTD)
• Paid Time Off:
  Holidays, Vacation, Sick Time, and Maternity Leave (per US or home country policy)
• 401(k) Matching

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace.