Scientist I, Quality Control LTS

Our client is a leading Indian pharmaceutical company, headquartered in Bengaluru and a footprint across 100 countries. The company manufactures pharmaceutical products, over-the-counter drugs, and nutraceuticals. They operate two business verticals, Regulated Markets and Emerging Markets. Their manufacturing footprint covers 8 manufacturing facilities in 4 continents, including 5 US FDA approved facilities and a dedicated R&D facility in India with global filing capabilities.

The company partners with generic companies in US and Canada, to supply retail and hospital generics in injectable products and soft gels. In European markets, it has long-term relationships for the development of projects and supply agreements. In Australia and New Zealand, the company is engaged in manufacturing and supply of soft gels and value-added manufacturing.

Role Description:

• The Scientist, Laboratory Technical Services is primarily responsible for supporting the analytical testing requirements of commercial/pre-commercial materials and products, including method development, validation and transfer, pre-commercial/commercial testing of materials and samples in a regulated laboratory environment.
• Has expert proficiency in conducting all types of physical and chemical analysis (including the most complex analysis) using all equipment.
• This position will have a significant role supporting pending ANDA submissions, product launches, and method lifecycle activities to achieve company goals and initiatives. Write and review SOPs, test methods, validation protocols and reports. The Scientist also provides mentoring to Chemist.

Responisbilities:

Analysis & Testing:

• Validate analytical methods for finished product and raw material release and stability testing.
• Evaluates, troubleshoot/improves existing analytical methods when necessary.
• Prepares method validation protocols, reports, and analytical test methods.
• Performs testing to support process and formulation development (e.g. excipient, compatibility, solubility, dissolution studies, stability/impurity assessment)
• Performs work to support project assigned with little oversight.
• Presents analytical data to project team for review and discussion
• Reviews and approves laboratory test data and documentation (e.g. notebooks, raw data and technical documentation, test methods, validation protocols, or validation report) for completeness and compliance when necessary
• Reviews and evaluates drug substance supplier’s technical documents to ensure internal testing test requirements are adequate.
• Uses laboratory software for analysis.
• Is alert to and detects abnormalities during performances of test and reviews.

Lab Equipment:

• Provides general laboratory support such as routine instrument cleaning/preventative maintenance/calibration, sample receiving, chemical inventory, document filing and housekeeping.
• Cleans lab working surfaces and dispose of any excess chemicals, solutions, solvents, etc. in the special waste containers for each class of waste chemicals
• Troubleshoots instrumentation and performs subsequent analyses

Investigations:

• Evaluates questionable sample results, OOS, and aberrant results immediately to Supervisor and recommends a course of action related to LTS activities
• Participates in root cause identification of complex laboratory investigations.
• Writes, edits, and reviews SOPs and laboratory investigations

Training:

• Train junior Scientist/Chemists on analytical techniques.
• Continuously updates knowledge with respect to the latest technologies related to analytical science
• Maintains assigned training records current and in-compliance
• Actively assumes/demonstrates responsibility in training others in good documentation practice, practical lab skills, and chemical theories, methodologies and procedures

Compliance:

• Identifies need for SOPs and writes or revises, as appropriate
• Performs work in a timely and safe manner conforming to regulatory, company and compendial requirements within pharmaceutical manufacturing setting. Works in compliance with cGMP/cGLP regulations
• Documents data generated in notebooks/worksheets/LIMS in compliance with SOPs
• Takes active role in auditing laboratory logbooks/documentation to ensure compliance
• Follows internal processes related to controlled substances

Safety:

• Follows EH&S procedures to ensure a safe work environment
• Follows all applicable safety and standards guidelines, such as SOPs, cGMP, DEA regulations good documentation practice and/or MSDS

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or related field with 6 years’ relevant analytical laboratory experience OR
• Master’s degree in above disciplines with 4 years’ relevant analytical lab experience OR
• PhD in above disciplines with some relevant analytical laboratory experience preferred

Knowledge & Skills:

• Has strong knowledge of laboratory software and has expanded knowledge of chromatographic software (e.g. Waters Empower, Agilent ChemStation and Sotax WinSotax), using custom fields, custom calculations and custom reports.
• Full proficiency with various laboratory techniques/instruments: HPLC, UV-Vis, FT-IR, GC and dissolution tester, melting point apparatus, viscometer, Karl Fischer titrator, pH meter, analytical balance, etc.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable safety and standards guidelines, such as FDA, ICH, SOP, cGMP, GLP, DEA regulations and/or MSDS
• Has demonstrated competence in conducting chemical analyses
• Strong knowledge of wet chemistry techniques
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to critically review, analyze data, interpret information, and draw conclusions from relevant or missing information
• Ability to display and analyze data in a logical manner
• Strong verbal and written communication skills as well as good computer skills
• Strong attention to details and accurate record keeping
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Solid organizational skills
• Ability to coach less senior staff and develop laboratory skills and ability
• Ability to take initiative, set priorities and follow through on assignments

Physical Requirements:

• Extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, reaching, climbing/balancing, kneeling/crouching/crawling, looking at monitor for extended periods, moderate noise levels and potential business travel. Work is in an FDA and DEA-regulated pharma lab environment with risk of exposure to various chemicals
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15-25 lbs.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including respirators, gloves, etc.
• Specific visions abilities are required by this job include close vision and color vision
• Ability to occasionally tolerate significant differences in temperature and/or humidity for short periods.