Senior Scientist, Process Development

Senior Scientist, Process Development Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCUs 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 VCUs benefits here .

Job Code 33244 - 33246 Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req7959 Unit VP For Health Sciences MBU Department ... Department Website Link Location MCV Address 57 N 11th St, Richmond, VA 23298 USA Duties & Responsibilities

Job Summary

Medicines for All (M4ALL), a part of Virginia Commonwealth University, is an entrepreneurial, impact-oriented institute dedicated to dramatically improving global access to lifesaving medicines. We achieve this through synthetic process innovation and advanced technology deployment to reduce costs and waste in small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production. Our API process development services support treatments for diseases such as TB, malaria, HIV, oncology, metabolic diseases, CNS, and immunology. We work in service to and partnership with non-profit organizations and translational research-focused companies and institutes.

We are seeking a mission-driven professional to join our team in tackling critical global health challenges in the position of Senior Scientist, Process Development. This role encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities including small molecule process research and development, project leadership and delivery (e.g., contract service projects, internal platform innovation projects), and partner relationship management. Our new colleague 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 technology transfer.

API Process Development - Project Leadership

• Lead project teams in the development of 1 st generation (clinical) and 2 nd generation (commercial) API manufacturing processes as needed. Deliver process development innovation excellence - ensuring scalability, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety. Act as the primary technical liaison for clients and partners, fostering strong relationships and delivering high-impact outcomes.

• Deliver timely, high-quality customer engagements through diligent project management and regular, solutions-driven communications (oral and written). Adhere to mutually agreed priorities and delivery timelines, prioritizing transparency, accountability, and a service mindset.

• Apply deep process chemistry expertise across route scouting, optimization, scale-up, and tech transfer as part of the API lifecycle.

• Collaborate seamlessly with Analytical, MSAT, EHS, Commercial, and Project Management teams to meet project milestones on time and within budget .

API Process Development Individual Contribution

• Lead, conduct, and thoroughly document literature reviews for target chemical transformations and APIs. Identify and classify reported strategies. Articulate process improvement opportunities, reflecting expert understanding of manufacturing norms.

• Design and evaluate synthetic routes to target APIs and intermediates with a focus on cost, sustainability, minimization of chemical steps / unit operations, and safety.

• Develop and execute hypothesis-driven experiments. Translate results into new experiments that will lead to lower costs and/or process improvements.

  • In process research (route scouting), assess many valid reaction conditions and identify trends for improved outcomes.

  • In process development (optimization), perform careful, data-rich experiments that create robust knowledge of the chemical system and transformation.

• Leverage high-throughput experimentation equipment and software (including automation, DOE) to accelerate development 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 process improvement.

• 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 tools to support internal coordination and client communication

• Demonstrate project budget awareness and good stewardship in the purchase and use of consumables, reagents, solvents, key starting materials and intermediates.

• Track timelines and deliverables, escalating risks proactively to maintain 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)

• Continuously evaluate and improve work processes to drive M4ALLs operational excellence, with the aim of constantly improving 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)

• Communicate research findings effectively through written and oral formats, including publications and stakeholder updates.

• Address project or interpersonal misalignments constructively, seeking clarity and resolution when needed.

• Support documentation efforts across SOPs, work instructions, hazard assessments, and technical publications.

Team & Infrastructure Development

• Support onboarding new Scientists, Technicians, and Postdocs as member of "buddy" network, to ease their transition into the M4ALL team

• Develop proficiency in M4ALL tech (IT) and infrastructure for critical unit operations, and contribute to its effective use and evolution

Championing VCUs and M4ALLs Core Values:

• Embody M4ALL and VCUs values: Mission-first focus, Integrity, Safety, Respect, Customer-centricity, Adaptability, Transparent Communication, and Collaboration

Qualifications

Required Education & Technical Abilities

• Education: PhD in Organic Chemistry (total synthesis of natural products, novel synthetic methods development), Organometallic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. Individuals with significant years experience and training equivalent to a PhD will be considered.

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing (drug substance / active pharmaceutical ingredients), with a focus on early phase process R&D. Current, working knowledge and ongoing application of best practices in industrial process chemistry, process development/chemical development and scale-up.

Advanced Chemistry Technologies: Experience with one or more of the following enabling technologies: continuous / continuous flow chemistry, high throughput experimentation, applied automation of process R&D workflows, applied artificial intelligence / machine learning in process R&D, applied biocatalysis, sustainable methods development (e.g., micellar catalysis)

Project Leadership Abilities : Proven experience leading project teams in multi-organization innovation programs - collaborative and third party-sponsored (i.e., contract service projects).

Technology Transfer : Experience working with manufacturers to transfer processes from process research and development to pilot and manufacturing scales (clinical and/or commercial)

Required Interpersonal Skills & Individual Aptitude

• Communication and Collaboration: Demonstrate highly effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively within and outside of the organization in situations that may require instruction, persuasion, negotiation, or conflict resolution. Demonstrate comfort and confidence delivering technical and/or technical marketing presentations that are clear, concise, and accessible to audiences of varied composition (technical and non-technical).

• Results-Oriented: Proven ability to drive projects to successful completion within scope, on time, and within budget, especially under resource-constrained and high-stakes environments.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to contextualize long term strategies and short-term requirements

• Troubleshooting and Independent Judgment: Robust decision-making and judgement, responding calmly and effectively in all situations, with excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills

• Accountability and collaborative mindset to achieve organizational success for high quality, timely and cost-effective results within specified deadlines.

• Innovative and creative problem solving to develop solutions/alternatives, understanding of the feasibility and the value in taking responsible risks.

• Scientific Entrepreneurship: Energy and passion to thrive in a start-up environment and to deliver on the organizations goals, mission and values balancing the interests of one's own with those of the broader organization.

• Risk Management: Expertise in identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks, with the ability to implement corrective actions to keep projects on track.

• Travel: Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (anticipated up to 10% of time)

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with the application of Design of Experiments, kinetic and thermodynamic analyses (e.g., RC1), mechanistic investigations.

Reporting Structure

This role reports to (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

Since M4ALL's inception in 2017, we have received significant financial support from a portfolio of major donors. This position is grant-funded, with continued employment contingent upon ongoing funding.

Benefits of Working at VCU include :

• New Employees (0-3 Years of Service) start with 28 days of paid leave per calendar year** plus federal and state holidays [ link ]

• Leave plans built to promote a healthy work/life balance with the ability to carry leave forward to a following calendar year; parental leave for childbearing, caregiving, adoption, surrogacy, or foster care; caregiver leave for dependent immediate family members, community service leave for volunteer work, community participation, etc. [ link ]

• Tuition Benefit for continuing education and professional development, up to six credit hours per academic semester link

• Health Care Plan & FSA option through PayFlex [ link ]

• Tax-deferred annuity retirement savings program with Cash Match Plan [ link ]

• Professional development opportunities encouraged and offered for employees as part of annual career development, e.g. certifications, seminars, courses, annual conferences, mentorship, etc.

The university and the region

VCU is a public research university unlike any other, dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients. Inclusion is our heartbeat and it drives us to tackle difficult challenges others cant or wont. Were home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities for our students.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

We are the university for Virginia. We know that the unique backgrounds and life experiences of the VCU community are what drive the university forward. Together, were forging a future that is built by us. Here, artists and engineers, doctors and designers come together to reimagine the human experience and tackle the problems of tomorrow.

VCU dates to 1838 with the formation of the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, whose mission was to educate physicians in central Virginia and which was later renamed Medical College of Virginia. In 1968, Richmond Professional Institute merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become what is now known as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 28,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its urban campuses: the downtown Monroe Park and MCV campuses in Richmond; the Rice Rivers Center in Charles City, Virginia; satellite locations in Fairfax, Virginia, and Abingdon, Virginia; and a campus in Doha, Qatar, for the School of the Arts.

Ignited by the energy of the city, were ready to lead industries or disrupt them. We seek out the unexpected, the experimental, the never-been-tried. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU among the top 50 public research universities in the country, and we are one of only 69 public universities nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as Community Engaged with Very High Research Activity.

This research enterprise, and the influence of having one of the nations top-ranked public graduate arts schools , ensures students receive unique educational experiences that equip them with a creative mindset that sets them apart.

VCUs contributions in talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. VCU as a whole generates more than $9 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond with more than 26,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health, and it supports approximately 58,000 j obs in Virginia . In addition, Virginia classifies VCU with a Tier III status the highest possible status for universities and colleges allowing VCU more flexibility in managing its operations to implement best practices and streamline processes. To learn about VCUs finances, visit about.finance.vcu.edu .

VCUs mission, under the leadership of President Michael Rao, Ph.D., is to serve as one national urban public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of our students, patients, faculty, staff and community through:

• Real-world learning that furthers civic engagement, inquiry, discovery and innovation.

• Research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life.

• Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation, enhance cultural and economic vitality, and solve societys most complex challenges.

• Health sciences that preserve and restore health for all people, seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research and educate those who serve humanity.

Welcome to VCU. A world unlike any other.

About Richmond, V irgin ia

As the commonwealths capital , Richmond, Virginia, offers a vibrant mix of history and real-world opportunities . Distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel, but theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring RVA as locals call the region to life. Established in 1780, its rich history can be seen in the architecture, the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. With the historic James River and 600 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, a flourishing arts, entertainment and restaurant scene (Food and Wine called Richmond a culinary powerhouse ) and affordable suburbs, this small city punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz. In fact, Travel + Leisure named Richmond the best place to live in Virginia in 2023 and Southern Living named Richmond one of the 20 best cities to live in the South in 2024.

Richmonds location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginias many wineries. Its within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to several Fortune 500 companies , a broad base of financial companies , hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies . Entrepreneurs and artists put down roots in Richmond, and Thrillist named it one of the best U.S. cities for creatives in 2022.

Beyond Richmond, CNBC has named Virginia as the No. 1 state in the country to do business six times since the study began in 2007. It has accomplished this by bringing in billions in capital investment and thousands of new jobs; investing in education; expanding access to quality health care for all; making sure everyone has access to opportunity; and more. Business Facilities magazine named Virginia the 2024 State of the Year. Suffice to say, Virginia is full of growth and opportunity, making it the perfect location for a university determined to erase barriers and provide students with robust learning experiences that will make them unstoppable.

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 at $110,600; commensurate with experience Compensation Type Salaried Target Hire Date 10/1/2025 Contact Information for Candidates Documents Needed to Apply resume - requiredcover letter - optional