Senior Scientist in Process Chemistry & Catalysis

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The Position

Process Chemistry & Catalysis (PTDC-C) designs and develops robust and cost-effective drug substance processes using state-of-the-art science and methodologies. Our work supports the synthetic molecules portfolio from entry into human trials through transfer to commercial manufacturing, including optimal support for regulatory submissions. This team is part of Small Molecules Technical Development (PTDC), which is responsible for the technical development of our synthetic pipeline and the manufacture of drug substance and drug product for clinical studies, collaborating closely with partners in research (pRED / gRED) and our commercial manufacturing network. PTDC is a key part of Global Technical Development (PTD), an organization of over two thousand people globally within Pharma Global Technical Operations (PT).

We are seeking a Senior Scientist in Process Chemistry & Catalysis (PTDC-C) with a strong background in transition metal catalysis and process chemistry to drive innovation in chemical reaction development. In this role, you will design and optimize both transition metal catalyzed reactions and organic synthesis routes to be developed into scalable, safe, sustainable, and cost-effective processes for the production of our drug substance candidates.

The Opportunity

• Design and implement catalytic reactions into scalable, safe, sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective processes allowing for the timely production of high-quality pharmaceutical compounds.
• Engineer catalyst structures to improve process performance (yield, selectivity, cost, sustainability, etc.) and stay current with emerging trends in metal catalysis, synthetic organic chemistry, and process development.
• Ensure full SHE compliance and safety adherence, while documenting results and scientific data in compliance with internal regulations.
• Engage with internal stakeholders across Research & Early Development, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Quality, and drive industry and academic collaborations within the metal catalysis expert group.
• Author scientific reports, publications, and patent applications.
• Support training and supervision of associate scientists and interns, promoting a culture of precision and collaboration.

Who You Are

• Collaborative, open-minded talent, natural problem-solver, and passionate team player dedicated to translating lab procedures into robust manufacturing processes.
• PhD in organometallic chemistry or homogeneous catalysis with experience in organic chemistry, complemented by a Postdoc and at least 5 years of chemical process R&D experience in the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Proven track record in transition metal catalysis, catalyst synthesis and characterization, and scaling up catalytic processes from lab scale to multi-kg production campaigns.
• Strong organizational skills to manage complex experimental plans, analyze data rigorously, maintain meticulous documentation, and communicate fluently in English (with working knowledge of German).
• Exceptional problem-solver skilled in multidisciplinary team collaboration, with preferred experience in computational tools (retrosynthetic prediction, AI optimization), DoE, and reaction kinetics.

Ready for the next step? We look forward to hearing from you. Apply now to discover this exciting opportunity!

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.