Sr. Assoc. Scientist, Process Safety

WHY PATIENTS NEED YOU

Pfizer’s purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer’s purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best in class medicines to patients around the world.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a chemical engineer/chemist to join the Chemical Research and Development (CRD) Process Safety team in Groton.  They will apply safety specific principles and generate lab-scale data-rich experimentation to increase process understanding and to assess safe process operating conditions.     

CRD, as part of Worldwide R&D in Pharmaceutical Sciences, is responsible for the development of process technology for the production of API. CRD scientists engage in all facets of development from small scale synthesis in support of medicinal chemistry programs, to the development of the commercial synthetic route. CRD scientists partner with manufacturing specialists for API synthesis in kilo-lab and pilot plant facilities, as well as provide support for technology transfer to Pfizer manufacturing sites and third party facilities. 

You will collaborate with process chemists, engineers, and process supervisors to develop an acceptable basis for safety to support scale-up and technology transfer of new chemical processes to Pfizer’s research and manufacturing facilities.  The scope of work includes the development and execution of a suitable process safety testing plan following established guidelines, best practices, and scientific judgment.  Instrumentation used in the analysis of process safety includes, but is not limited to, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC), Thermal Screening Unit (TSU), and reaction calorimetry. The candidate will also help advance both in-silico and experimental tools and techniques the group uses to execute projects. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• ​Working with process chemists and engineers, perform the careful and thorough evaluation of all known and potential hazards for the safe scale-up of chemical processes for preparing pharmaceutical intermediates and active products in Pfizer research and manufacturing facilities 

• Remain current on process safety science and technology.  Maintain active involvement in key professional societies through conference participation and publication 

• Develop a safety test plan suitable for the potential process hazards and perform all required process safety testing.  Typical testing includes DSC, ARC, TSU, and reaction calorimetry (RC-1 and CRC) to identify and characterize all thermal and pressure events of the intended and unintended processes 

• Identify all requirements for external safety testing (e.g. dust explosivity) and lead engagement with external vendors and coordinate all interactions 

• Identify and characterize reaction off-gas rates  

• Enter all experimental data and calculations in an electronic laboratory notebook and in collaboration with other process safety colleagues, complete review and witnessing of all experiments.   

• Summarize and document results in process safety test reports 

• Lead technology development and workflow initiatives to implement new capabilities and improve efficiency 

QUALIFICATIONS

Must Have

• BS in Chemical Engineering/Chemistry or related scientific field with 4-5 years’ experience OR 0-3 years’ experience with MS degree. 

• Excellent knowledge of chemical engineering principles including reaction kinetics, chemical thermodynamics, heat and mass transport, engineering statistics, reactor design. 

• Demonstrated ability to work with, troubleshoot and maintain standard and specialty laboratory equipment. 

• Strong attention to detail in experimentation and documentation 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and proven track record for working with diverse groups of scientists. 

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