Process Science Team Lead

Department overview

An essential component of Pfizer at Sandwich, our Pharmaceutical Sciences function supports Pfizer’s early to late stage portfolio translating new chemical entities into commercial drug products. Pharmaceutical Sciences at Sandwich is a fully integrated CMC capability that encompasses state of the art active pharmaceutical ingredient synthesis and drug product design as well as a cGMP manufacturing and clinical trials supply chain. Within Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Drug Product Design (DPD) department utilises expertise in materials science, formulation design, process understanding, biopharmaceutics and digital design to deliver innovative new medicines.

Role summary

We are seeking a process science expert to support the design, development and commercialisation of a range of drug products including tablets, capsules, multi-particulate beads, sterile and non-sterile liquids, manufactured using a range of different processes.

To provide expert technical knowledge and leadership in a range of manufacturing technologies as products are designed, scaled-up and transferred to the commercial manufacturing sites using advanced engineering knowledge alongside modelling and simulation techniques, focussed experimentation and advanced data analytics

Build strong cross-line and global partnerships and provide scientific and strategic input at the interface with our manufacturing groups (clinical and commercial), analytical and regulatory partner lines.

Partner externally to initiate and lead collaborations with academic groups or technology companies to enhance our manufacturing and modelling capabilities and understanding.

To mentor, motivate and inspire colleagues, assisting in their scientific and personal development to ensure effective colleague engagement.

Job title:
Process Science Lead, Drug Product Design

Role responsibilities:

- Communicate effectively to line managers and the wider development team and present results internally at meetings and, on occasion, at external forums. Present scientific results to a diverse audience through data analysis and visualisations.
- Understands technical and development issues, and in partnership with senior team leaders and managers, develops options to manage risk, and ensure project delivery
- Partner with the predictive sciences team to design, develop, validate, and implement mathematical models to aid the design and optimisation of pharmaceutical formulations and unit operations.
- Participate in formulation and process design activities to ensure thorough understanding. Be able to analyse physicochemical properties, processing and analytical data to troubleshoot complex manufacturing problems and propose hypotheses to solve issues.
- Contribute to the regulatory strategies of the Quality modules of regulatory documentation (IND / IMPD and NDA / MAA).
- Experience working in global and multicultural organisations across international boundaries
- Provide scientific and technical support to clinical and commercial manufacturing facilities to support new technology investments
- Establish and maintain relationships with external partners (e.g., universities, research organisations) and vendors (e.g., equipment, technology, software companies) to scope, execute and deliver well defined projects and identify opportunities to publish and present externally. Further Pfizer’s reputation as a global leader in this area.
- Cultivate an entrepreneurial, creative, outward looking culture and an environment for continuous improvement and innovation, by encouraging fellow scientists to challenge existing practices/procedures.

Basic qualifications:

- Graduate in chemical engineering, pharmaceutical science, physical sciences (chemistry, biology, physics), pharmacy or related discipline.
- Strong experimental background and engineering knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes combined with computational modelling experience.
- Excellent organisational skills: ability to manage several projects simultaneously and deliver results in a timely manner.
- Excellent interpersonal skills: work effectively as part of cross functional teams and embrace teamwork.
- Track record of independent working and scientific leadership.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills: must be able to communicate ideas and results with colleagues with diverse backgrounds. Demonstrated track record of publications, presentations, and/or patents.

Preferred qualifications:

- Post-graduate qualification (MSc, MEng or PhD) in relevant field e.g. chemical engineering, pharmaceutical engineering / sciences with a focus on computational modelling.
- Knowledge of and experience in implementation of process science / technology in end-to-end drug product development.
- Experience gained in an operational R&D role in pharmaceutical development / drug delivery or allied industry with growing supervisory / leadership responsibility.
- Additional experience on