Principal 1, Organic Synthesis Chemistry

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Alcon is looking to hire a Principal I, Organic Synthesis Chemistry, supports Alcon’s drug substance development activities from early Ideation up through Technology Transfer and Process Validation. Synthetic pathways are assessed/selected to supply drug substance for clinical and pre-clinical toxicology studies. With a view toward launch, the syntheses are developed into practical/viable routes of manufacture using principles of Quality by Design (QbD).

This role is on-site in our Durham, North Carolina location and a typical day would include:

• ​ Designs and experimentally evaluate synthetic routes for manufacture of drug candidates. 
• Conceives/proposes and develops new synthetic routes or methodologies.
• Conducts internal and external brainstorms, evaluates and prioritizes synthetic routes.
• Experimentally evaluates and proposes the final route of manufacture.
• Leverages expertise in drug design, synthesis, and ADME/PK/pharmacology to provide support for ongoing and new ideation projects.
• Conducts scale-up activities to supply early pre-clinical toxicology studies and/or to achieve proof of concept for manufacturing routes and processes.
• Develops robust manufacturing processes using QbD principles which may include:  reaction screening/profiling, confirming NOR and PAR and design of experiments (DoE), impurity fate mapping, spiking & purging, process robustness studies, and FMEAs.
• Understands the importance of different crystal forms and develops chemical processes with high polymorph control.
• Carries out technical transfer of chemical processes to contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). Assists with process development, risk assessments (FMEAs), optimization, qualification, and validation of API manufacturing operations. Provides support for chemical process development and manufacturing activities at contract research and manufacturing vendors involved in the manufacture of starting materials, key raw materials, and APIs. 
• Addresses issues effectively and chooses an appropriate course of action/technique to obtain best results.
• Translate manufacturing instructions and process development data into approvable regulatory process submissions.
• Author SOPs and documents for regulatory submission
• Maintains good laboratory records and summarizes results in well written reports and oral presentations. 

What You’ll Bring To Alcon:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
• 5 Years of Relevant Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• ​ Expert synthetic organic chemist

• Ph.D. in Synthetic/Organic Chemistry with 2-5 years of relevant synthetic chemistry experience (small molecule chemical synthesis/development, pharma preferred)
• Good depth of knowledge/experience with synthetic methodology, chemical literature, and reaction mechanisms
• Hands on experience in process scale up and technology transfer to third party.
• Good understanding of process and crystallization control, physical properties, and analysis techniques (XRPD, DSC, TGA, etc.)
• Ability to use/interpret mass spectral data and NMR for the purposes of structure elucidation where required.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, interacting with internal and external teams and demonstrates high degree of flexibility. 
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated with excellent communication (written and oral) and organizational skills
• Experienced working effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of GMP, wider CMC activities and regulatory topics including aspects of Quality by Design (QbD), technology transfer, ICH guidance, spiking/purging/specification setting preferred
• Experience with high throughput/data rich experimentation techniques such as DoE
• Strong mechanistic understanding of organic chemistry, and significant process development expertise and awareness of regulatory expectations and development strategies.
• Experience with HPLC (Empower a plus)

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

• See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities
• Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!
• Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.
• Travel up to 10%

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ALCON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY

Alcon takes pride in maintaining an inclusive environment that values different perspectives and our policies are non-discriminatory in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.