Senior Scientist (Synthetic Chemist) (Manufacturing)
Kyfora Bio, the bioprocessing brand of Polysciences, advances cell and gene therapy innovation through specialized transfection reagents and excipients designed for viral vector and mRNA delivery systems. Leveraging over six decades of chemical R&D and manufacturing experience, Kyfora offers scalable, cGMP-compliant solutions that support the entire development lifecycle—from bench to clinic—enabling next-generation therapies to reach patients efficiently and safely.
Summary of Position
Kyfora Bio seeks a highly motivated and detail-oriented Synthetic Organic Chemist (M.S. degree or higher) to join our R&D team. The role involves designing, synthesizing, purifying, and characterizing organic molecules, monomers, and polymers engineered for drug delivery, including transfection reagents. The candidate will work closely with the R&D team leader and VP to support early-stage development, process optimization, and technology transfer to manufacturing. A strong background in synthetic organic chemistry (lipid and polymer experience preferred), familiarity with cGMP principles, and the ability to efficiently execute and document lab-scale reactions under tight timelines are essential.
Essential Functions
1. Synthesis & Process Development
- Conduct lab-scale synthesis of drug delivery agents such as polycations, lipids, reactive monomers, and polymers.
- Optimize reactions to improve yield, purity, and scalability.
- Plan and perform multi-step syntheses and polymerizations, including air-sensitive techniques when needed.
- Develop synthetic routes for consistent product quality at scale.
2. Purification & Characterization
- Purify products using chromatography, precipitation, dialysis, or crystallization.
- Monitor reactions and characterize compounds using analytical tools (NMR, FTIR, GPC, HPLC, GC, MS, UV-Vis, Karl Fischer titration).
- Troubleshoot synthesis and purification issues through literature research and collaboration.
- Familiarity with Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Zeta Potential analysis (Zeta Sizer) for formulation characterization is a plus.
3. Documentation & Batch Records
- Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks with precise experimental data, following Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
- Draft and revise batch records, SOPs, and technology transfer documents for scale-up and cGMP production.
- Work closely with QC to review records and analytical data for validation readiness.
- Contribute to Chemistry sections of development and regulatory reports.
- Ensure traceability and audit compliance of documentation.
4. Project Support & Technology Transfer
- Collaborate with formulation, QC, process engineering, and biology (transfection) teams to meet project milestones.
- Provide technical support during process transfers and scale-up.
- Adapt lab procedures for pilot and production environments.
5. Time & Resource Management
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all meet tight deadlines and quality standards.
- Proactively identify potential bottlenecks or resource constraints early and implement corrective actions to keep projects on track.
- Prioritize tasks dynamically based on changing project urgency, team input, and business needs.
- Regularly communicate progress, risks, and potential delays to leadership, offering solutions or mitigation plans.
- Take initiative to streamline workflows and improve efficiency within the team.
6.Safety & Laboratory Practices
- Follow all safety policies, including PPE use, chemical handling, and waste disposal.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and audit-ready lab applying 5S principles.
- Participate in safety reviews and proactively address hazards.
Qualifications
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, and Synthetic Chemistry, with 3–10 years of industrial R&D experience, particularly in multi-step synthesis, process optimization, and scale-up.
- Demonstrated expertise in complex organic synthesis, reaction design and troubleshooting, purification methods (e.g., column chromatography, crystallization, distillation), and method development.
- Proficient in structural and purity characterization using NMR (1D/2D), LC-MS, GPC, HPLC, GC, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
- Experience working with functional polymers, small molecules, or pharmaceutical intermediates is highly desirable.
- Strong commitment to lab safety and compliance with SOPs in regulated environments.
- Skilled in literature and patent research (e.g., SciFinder, Reaxys) and interpretation of complex synthetic routes.
- Excellent documentation skills, including maintaining lab notebooks, preparing batch records, and writing technical reports.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ChemDraw for reaction schemes and reporting.
- Able to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, troubleshoot synthetic challenges, and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
What We Offer
Culture
Great people
Peer to Peer Recognition
Broader, hands-on work experience
Clean and Modern Equipment & Labs
Fun company events
Competitive Wages & Generous Year-end Bonus
Comprehensive Benefits
3 PPO Medical Plans with Telemedicine, Rx, & Vision
2 Dental Plans
Healthcare, Dependent care, & Commuter Flexible Spending Accounts
401(k) with company match
Financial Health & Wellness w/1:1 Coaching & Rewards
Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
Accident, Hospital Indemnity, & Critical Illness
Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
Short & Long-term Disability
9 Paid Holidays
Must have legal authorization to work in the US and will not require sponsorship.
Polysciences is an equal opportunity employer. Drug-free workplace. Tobacco-free work site.
Polysciences does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.
Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application process and/or interview process should notify a representative of the Human Resources Department.
Find us here Poly 400
Qualifications
Education Required: Graduate Degree (Master's or PhD Preferred: Graduate Degree (Master's or PhD)
Certification(s): Specify preferred or required.
Computer Skills Required: Specify preferred or required.
Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Chemdraw, Chemical database tools/software; NMR, LCMS, and other relevant analytical analysis software.
Other qualifications:
- MS or PhD in Organic chemistry or closely related field
- 3+ years' experience designing and carrying out multistep organic and/or polymer syntheses.
- Prefer experience developing chemical processes in a GMP regulated environment .
- Experience designing and carrying out multistep chemical synthesis and scale-up (mg to multi-kg)
- Experience with analytical instruments (running instrument and interpreting data) including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HPLC, GC, FTIR.
Immediate Work Environment:
X-Chemicals Unprotected Height X Fumes/Gases Persistent Noise
X-PPE used: Safety glasses, lab coat, close-toed shoes
Work Activity: [must equal number of hours worked per day]
Stand: 5 Frequency: Choose an item. Walk: 1 Frequency: Choose an item.
Sit: 2 Frequency: Choose an item. Drive: 0 Frequency: Choose an item.
Lift/Carry Demands
Frequency: Lift/Carry Equipment Provided:
0-10 lbs. 1-3 hours a day Click or tap here to enter text.
11-25 lbs. Less than 1 hour a day Click or tap here to enter text.
26-50 lbs. Not Daily Click or tap here to enter text.
51-75 lbs. Rarely Click or tap here to enter text.
76-100 lbs. Never Click or tap here to enter text.
Salary Minimum: 80000Salary Maximum: 110000