Postdoctoral Fellow, Peptide Process Development

About the role

Purpose

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) team in PDS&T to conduct independent, publishable research in peptide synthesis process development.

Working under the mentorship of senior process chemists, the successful candidate will apply advanced expertise in organic and peptide chemistry to support platform development for the synthesis and isolation of peptide intermediates and drug substances.

The successful candidate will design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret data, collaborate with multidisciplinary partners, and contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and internal knowledge sharing.

The goal of this position is to generate new insights, methods, and capabilities that advance peptide process development in PDS&T and support innovation in peptide drug substance manufacturing, while building the candidate's independence as a scientist.

Responsibilities

• Plan and perform solution-phase and solid-phase synthesis of peptides and protected peptide fragments, including coupling, deprotection, resin cleavage, fragment condensation, and isolation.
• Design, plan, and execute hypothesis-driven experiments, including mechanistic, kinetic, and design-of-experiment (DoE) studies, to advance platform development and process understanding of peptide synthesis and isolation.
• Apply relevant analytical and computational methods, such as HPLC, LC-MS, NMR, solubility studies, and impurity profiling, to advance peptide process development.
• Collaborate with engineering and analytical sciences partners to develop robust, scalable processes for peptide manufacture and isolation.
• Independently troubleshoot technical challenges and recommend follow-up experiments or alternative approaches.
• Communicate scientific plans, progress, results, and recommendations through presentations and written updates.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present at external scientific conferences and contribute to patent filings and internal scientific communications as appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of relevant scientific literature, emerging technologies, and external developments in the field.
• Ensure work is conducted in alignment with applicable safety, quality, compliance, and documentation expectations.
• Participate in mentoring, training, and career-development activities to build independence in research design, project leadership, and scientific communication.

Qualifications & Requirements

• PhD in organic chemistry, peptide chemistry, or a closely related discipline, awarded recently or expected before the start date.
• Strong practical experience and theoretical background in organic synthetic techniques, chromatographic separations, and analytical chemistry (e.g., HPLC, LC-MS, and NMR).
• Hands-on experience with solution-phase or solid-phase peptide synthesis, protecting-group selection, and peptide isolation, purification, and analysis is strongly preferred.
• Strong record of scientific productivity, including publications, presentations, or demonstrated research accomplishments.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including critical thinking, data interpretation, and scientific judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex scientific concepts clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while seeking input and feedback from peers and supervisors.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary, diverse, and fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines.