Scientist, Process Development - Medicines for All Institute

Scientist, Process Development - Medicines for All Institute Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.

Job Code 33243 Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req7539 Unit VP For Health Sciences MBU Department Medicines for All Institute Department Website Link Location VCU Address 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA Duties & Responsibilities

Medicines for All (M4ALL), a part of Virginia Commonwealth University, is an entrepreneurial, impact-oriented institute founded with a commitment to improving access to medications across the globe by driving down production costs. We do this, in part, by developing low-cost, high-quality routes for the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Position Primary Purpose and General Duties:

We are seeking mission-driven professionals to join our team in tackling critical global health challenges in the position of Scientist, Process Development! M4ALL strives to be a global center of excellence to drive increased access to pharmaceuticals and through this role, you will support the development and management of current and planned programs at the intersection of chemistry, pharmaceuticals manufacturing, and medicine value chain.

This position is being reopened with a refined focus on candidates who possess at least three years of relevant industrial experience, demonstrated expertise in process chemistry and/or scale-up, and a strong track record of leading project workstreams, delivering technical results, and collaborating effectively with clients. Applicants who previously applied do not need to reapply.

This role encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities including research and development, communications, as well as project and relationship management. As a Scientist, Process Development, you will be responsible for building the scientific excellence of the Institute by delivering superior research results in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. Your efforts will be directed toward the design and development of multistep synthetic routes to approved and investigational active pharmaceutical ingredients, with an emphasis on process research (route scouting), development (optimization, demonstrative scale-up), and tech transfer.

Process Innovation

• Conduct and thoroughly document literature reviews for target chemical transformations, intermediates, and APIs.
• Conceptualize practical synthetic strategies (route design / retrosynthesis) for target APIs and intermediates. Assess viability of prospective routes with a view to low-cost raw materials.
• Maintain strong technical literacy. Develop hypothesis-driven experimental plans. In process research, efficiently screen many valid reaction conditions and identify trends for improved outcomes. In process development, perform careful, data-rich experiments that create a deep knowledge of the chemical system. Translate previous results into new experiments that will lead to lower costs and/or process improvements.
• Execute chemical reactions on screening (milligram to gram) and preparative (decagram to kilogram) scales in the context of process research (route scouting) and development (optimization).
• Leverage high-throughput experimentation equipment and software (including automation) to achieve efficient cycles of design-test-analyze and build M4ALL reaction databases.
• Deliver results in a high-pace and time-sensitive environment.
• Demonstrate robust data interpretation. Incorporate data-driven insights into reports and designs for chemical processes.
• Maintain a detailed, accurate, and up-to-date electronic lab notebook (ELN) to ensure robust knowledge management.

Project Management

• Demonstrate timely and proficient use of M4ALL's project management technology platforms to facilitate internal and external communications.
• Demonstrate project budget awareness and good stewardship in the purchase and use of consumables, reagents, solvents, key starting materials and intermediates.
• Adhere to project timeline and deliverable commitments. Escalate risks and deviations to ensure client transparency.

Strategy Development & Execution

• Support the development of new technology platforms that accelerate drug substance development and differentiate M4ALL's technical offerings. (Advanced Chemistry Technology)
• Challenge the status quo by continuously reviewing personal work processes and questioning traditional or established processes, with the aim of constantly improving M4ALL operations and customer / collaborator experience.

Interdepartmental and External Communications

• Prepare clear, accurate, and concise written project updates and reports (pptx, docx), representing your contributions. Contribute well-written, high-quality scientific content for publication - e.g., peer-reviewed articles, trade journal articles, white papers, M4ALL social media. (Technical Writing)
• Orally present research updates and reports on findings in-person or virtually for internal consumption. Develop and deliver high quality oral presentations (posters, group meetings) to internal scientific and non-scientific audiences. (Verbal / Oral Communications)
• Recognize signs of interpersonal or project misalignment. Attempt to resolve misunderstandings with support of line manager, if needed. Seek clarity on responsibilities and expectations to minimize misalignments or misunderstandings. (Conflict Resolution)
• Contribute to variety of scientific materials such as paper studies, publications, manuscripts (as above) and other documents supporting ongoing and future work in the labs (e.g., SOPs, Work Instructions, Hazard Assessments, etc.)

Team & Infrastructure Development

• Support onboarding new Scientists, Technicians, and Postdocs as members of "buddy" network, to ease their transition into the M4ALL team.
• Develop a thorough understanding of M4ALL tech (IT) and infrastructure for critical unit operations, how to use it. (Leverage and Grow Technology Prowess)

Mindset

• Demonstrate resource stewardship, accountability, commitment to quality work, appreciation of your work's criticality to the M4ALL mission (Ownership)
• Show willingness to compromise on pathways to a common goal, putting clients' priorities first (Flexibility)
• Show willingness to change course in the face of changing business needs and opportunities. Be resilient in face of change. (Adaptability)
• Listen to stakeholders (internal and external) and address needs and concerns. Deliver on service commitments: Maintain supportive relationships with stakeholders. (Service Excellence)

Qualifications

Required Education & Technical Abilities

• PhD in organic, organometallic or inorganic chemistry. Individuals with significant years' experience and training equivalent to a PhD will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant industrial experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead project workstreams, deliver technical results, and collaborate effectively with clients
• Ability to publish research findings in high impact scientific journals. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate a proven track record of publications.
• Proven expertise in industrial process research, process development, scale-up, and tech transfer
• Strong understanding of and experience with all analytical methods relevant to synthetic organic chemistry (NMR, HPLC, MS, IR, UV, etc).

Required Interpersonal Skills & Individual Aptitude

• Full professional proficiency of the English language (speaking, reading, and writing)
• Comfort and confidence to give presentations...
• Accountability and collaborative mindset...
• Innovative and creative problem solving...
• Open-mindedness and commitment to valuing diversity...
• Energy and passion to thrive in a start-up environment...
• Commitment to aligning and adherence to M4ALL's core values and purpose.

Please note applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa or permanent residence sponsorship. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Reporting Structure

This role reports to the Associate Director, Process Development and embodies everyday leadership, with an expectation to lead through actions, discussions, decisions, and interactions. As a role model within the organization, you will influence others by consistently demonstrating the values and behaviors that drive our mission forward.

Work Environment and Location

100% onsite at the VA Bio+Tech Park located in Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, this position may require occasional domestic and international travel. Candidates should be comfortable with and prepared for infrequent travel as needed. Since M4ALL's inception in 2017, we have received significant financial support from a diverse portfolio of major donors. This position is grant-funded, with continued employment contingent upon ongoing funding.

FLSA University Employee Job FTE 1 Exemption Status Exempt Restricted Position Yes E-Class UF - University Employee FT Job Category University Employee ORP Eligible Yes Salary Range starting from $90,000, commensurate with experience Compensation Type Salaried Target Hire Date 7/25/2025 Contact Information for Candidates

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Documents Needed to Apply Resume - required Cover Letter - required