Process Chemist

Company: Smart4 Sciences
Apply for the Process Chemist
Location: Cambridge
Job Description:

Smart4Sciences are recruiting for a Process Chemist to join their production team. Previous experience working with large-scale reactors is highly desirable for this role. If you don’t meet every requirement I strongly recommend you still apply – especially if you meet several of the Advanced Experience targets.

Responsibilities

  • Support the scale-up of research and development projects from laboratory concepts through to full production manufacturing
  • Operate distillation equipment and support small-scale fine chemical manufacturing activities
  • Provide technical troubleshooting and problem-solving support to Operations, Quality Control, and Research teams
  • Maintain accurate technical documentation and ensure compliance with quality systems, SOPs, and operational procedures
  • Record and manage production and development data within ERP and associated systems
  • Maintain safe working practices when handling hazardous chemicals and process equipment
  • Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, and R&D teams to support operational and development objectives

Equipment experience desired

  • Distillation Units
  • Pilot-Scale and Production-Scale Reactors
  • Gas Chromatography (GC)
  • High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
  • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
  • Karl Fischer (KF)

Skills

  • Process development and scale-up
  • Distillation
  • Technical troubleshooting and problem solving
  • Strong understanding of chemical process safety
  • Ability to work effectively in a busy manufacturing environment
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word

Advanced Experience

  • Led or played a significant role in process development, optimisation, or technology transfer projects that resulted in improved manufacturing performance
  • Demonstrated expertise in organic chemistry within industrial manufacturing environments
  • Experience operating or scaling processes using production-scale reactors (typically 5L+ and above)
  • Resolved complex process, yield, quality, or operational issues through structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis
  • Contributed to the safe introduction of new processes, products, or manufacturing technologies into production
  • Supported continuous improvement initiatives that improved efficiency, quality, throughput, or process robustness
  • Operated within fine chemical, speciality chemical, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments and demonstrated an understanding of the associated technical and regulatory challenges
  • Applied analytical techniques such as GC, HPLC, FTIR, KF, and titrations to support process development, manufacturing, or troubleshooting activities
  • Provided technical leadership, mentoring, or specialist expertise to colleagues and cross-functional teams
  • Holds a PhD, MChem, or equivalent advanced background in Chemistry, with demonstrated application of organic chemistry principles in an industrial setting

Posted: August 1st, 2026