We currently have several openings within our Process Research & Development (PRD) department at our STA Pharmaceutical business unit, in San Diego, CA. STA Pharmaceutical US LLC, a WuXi AppTec Company, is a contract development and manufacturing organization focused on providing high-quality process development, R&D, GLP Tox lots and up to P1/ P2 GMP small molecule manufacturing services to the biopharmaceutical industry.  This open Associate Scientist Process Research and Development position reports to the Chemical Process Research & Development department.

The candidate will work within a team of process R&D scientist’s in conjunction with the Analytical Chemistry department and be co-responsible for developing safe, efficient and easily scalable processes for producing starting materials, intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API’s). In addition, the candidate will assist in tech transferring projects to kilo lab, pilot plant, and plant scales and contribute to the safe and cGMP compliant execution of API manufacturing processes.

The ideal candidate will have shown proficiency in hands-on synthetic organic chemistry and the ability to solve process and scale-up problems through laboratory-scale investigations of organic synthesis reactions and separations. They will provide technical and trouble-shooting support for process scale-up runs and collaborate with other functional groups and accept other duties and responsibilities as needed.

Experience / Education  

• BS/MS in synthetic organic chemistry or related field, relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and industry experience is preferred
• CMO/CRO experience is highly desirable. 

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Pharmaceutical process R&D work experience is preferred not required.
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of organic synthesis, purification techniques, and analysis of organic reactions/products
• Demonstrated success working effectively outside defined scope of responsibility, when required.
• Ability to function with a sense of urgency.
• Ability to provide technical and trouble-shooting support for all Process R&D activities.
• Experience with literature search tools such as Scifinder and Reaxys.
• Provide regular updates, documentation and communication of PR&D results to development team/clients.
• Communicates directly with clients as required.
• Collate and present results in various forms, such as weekly/monthly reports, technical reports, and oral presentations for internal review and to clients.
• Strong background in organic chemistry, as well as thorough knowledge of analytical techniques (NMR, HPLC, LC-MS, GC).

 Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work in an office environment with minimal noise conditions.
• Must be able to work in Lab setting with exposure to hazardous materials (i.e. Chemicals).
• Must be able to wear appropriate PPE (i.e. lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves).
• Must be able to work in environment with variable noise levels
• Ability to stand/sit/walk for long periods of time
• Ability to Lift 20 lbs routinely
• Ability to crouch, bend, twist, and reach
• Ability to push/pull 20 lbs routinely/ often / occasionally
• Clarity of Vision
• Ability to identify and distinguish colors
• Must be able to perform activities with repetitive motions
• Ability to climb Ladders/Stairs/Scaffolding
• Ability to work in variable temperatures high to freezing
• Inside working conditions

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability