Senior Scientific Associate

Idorsia Pharmaceuticals

We are looking for a Senior Scientific Associate to join our Process Chemistry R&D team!

Organic synthesis for route scouting, process development and production from gram to multi-kilogram scale;
Optimization of chemical reactions, including workup, product isolation and purification;
Maintenance of general scaleup equipment and individual responsibility for dedicated equipment or technology;
Sourcing chemicals in bulk quantities from external suppliers, applying a cost-conscious mindset;
Assessment of reaction profiles and analysis of isolated compounds using TLC, LC/MS, GC/MS, NMR, or online techniques (e.g., reactIR) and drawing appropriate; conclusions (e.g. proposing alternative reaction conditions and synthetic pathways based on observed side-products or impurities);
Measurement and interpretation of advanced process safety data and corresponding adaptations to chemical processes;
Planning of daily practical work in close exchange with the lab team and the responsible scientist;
Accurate, detailed and reliable documentation of experimental work in electronic lab notebook (ELN) and project progress reports (PPR). Drafting of Master Operation Records (MOR) for scaleup campaigns;
Presentation of research updates at internal group meetings.

MSc or equivalent degree in Chemistry;
Expert in preparative organic synthesis (ideally up to kg-scale);
>5 years of industrial experience in process chemistry or a related field;
Experienced user of different reactor sizes and scaleup equipment (nutsche filters, charcoal filtration devices, thin-film distillations, gas scrubbers, etc.);
Experienced in the handling of hazardous chemistry on scale (e.g. inert transfer of flammable solvents, handling of pyrophoric reagents, etc.);
Experience in safe handling of highly valuable active pharmaceutical ingredients (API);
Familiar with common process safety fundamentals and their assessment by techniques such as DSC and adiabatic calorimetry;
Experienced in the use of different isolation and purification techniques such as crystallization, distillation, automated column chromatography and preparative HPLC;
Expert in analytical methods such as LC/MS, NMR, GC/MS, Karl-Fischer titration;
Ability to document all experimental work in an electronic lab notebook (ELN) in a clear, scientific way;
Ability to independently plan and execute practical work and a desire to solve complex, synthetic challenges;
Well-organized with a hands-on attitude, keeping a positive mindset when faced by challenges under time pressure;
Excellent communication- and team-working skills. Willingness to take over additional responsibilities;
Excellent command in spoken and written English;
Excellent computer skills.