Senior R&D Chemist

Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. (CIL) is seeking multiple Senior R&D Chemists to join our R&D team based onsite in our Andover, MA location with eventual relocation to our Ames Pond Facility in Tewksbury, MA.  The newly created R&D team will focus on driving the development of new products, process optimization, custom synthesis support, and evaluation of new technologies.   

The Senior R&D Chemists perform de novo synthesis, route development and final product characterization of a wide variety of complex isotopically labeled (13C, 15N, 18O and D isotopes) targets. They are responsible for developing and optimizing manufacturing procedures following CIL’s safety and general policies. Working with a high degree of independence, Senior R&D Chemists are required to meet production requirements with respect to safety, yield, time, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Comply with CIL’s general and safety policies.
• Synthesize complex, non-routine and/or routine target compounds generally containing 15N, 18O, D and/or 13C, in some instances using established SOPs.
• Design and develop new synthetic routes as necessary.
• Contribute to optimization of chemical routes to the targeted molecules and intermediates, and scalable, cost-effective processes.
• Analyze and interpret data obtained from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet (UV), mass (MS), HPLC and infrared (IR) spectroscopy.
• Utilize purification techniques which include:  chromatography, distillation, recrystallization and sublimation.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a team, challenge ideas, and determine best solutions.
• Take accountability for consistent and timely execution of project deliverables.
• Keep an accurate and detailed laboratory notebook.
• Assist other members of the department as necessary.
• Maintain best in class housekeeping.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of our safety policies and procedures.
• Perform any related work as necessary.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• Senior R&D Chemist I:
• One to three years of work experience in organic chemistry and/or synthesis; or practical training as a Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Researcher.
• Senior R&D Chemist II:
• Five to ten years of work experience in organic chemistry and/or synthesis; or practical training as a Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Researcher.
• This position requires excellent laboratory technique, a broad knowledge of organic synthetic methods, strong analytical skills and proficiency in chemical separation and identification of organic compounds.
• Persuades others, often at Senior levels, to adopt a different point of view.
• Communicates problems and recommendations with a clear conclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with employees of different disciplines both internally and externally.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to proactively identify problems.
• Regularly perform bench chemistry which requires standing, bending and stooping.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to handle ambiguity.
• Ability to creatively solve complex problems – ability to think outside the box.
• In accordance with CIL safety requirements, regularly performs synthesis and related chemical processes in a hooded, controlled lab environment.
• Exposure to hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals.
• Prefer experience with utilization of six-sigma tools such as FMEA and DOE.

Benefits

CIL and CIS offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including generous paid time off, Long Term Incentives, 6% matching 401K plan and health insurance with no in-network deductible.

CIL is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer.

Learn more about us on our website: www.isotope.com

About Us:

Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. (CIL) is the world’s leading producer of stable isotopes and stable isotope-labeled compounds. With approximately 750 employees and laboratories in four countries, CIL specializes in the process of labeling biochemical and organic compounds with highly enriched, stable (nonradioactive) isotopes of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. Our chemists substitute common atoms (e.g., 1H, 12C, 14N, 16O) with rare, highly valued isotopes (e.g., 2H or D, 13C, 15N, 18O) so that the final product can be readily measured or traced using mass spectrometry (MS) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). CIL’s products are utilized in laboratories, medical, government and academic research centers and health care facilities worldwide.

We are proud that CIL products have contributed to medical advancements in cancer research, new-drug development, environmental analysis, and medical diagnostic research. In the past decade, as the fields of proteomics and metabolomics have developed as leading techniques for determining biomarkers for disease presence, progression and the monitoring of therapeutic response, CIL has worked closely with industry leaders and researchers to provide the stable isotope-labeled tools needed for improved quantitation and qualification of complex biological systems.

After decades of research, stable isotopes have found their place in an ever expanding commercial scale applications in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, flat panel displays as well as other high technology fields specifically with deuterium oxide (D2O) and deuterium gases. Pharmaceutical companies have begun to investigate deuteration of molecules that may provide advantages over their existing nondeuterated counterparts. In addition, increasing research into the potential medical advantages of new deuterated drugs is also occurring. In high technology, deuterated organic molecules and deuterium gas are commonly used in the manufacturing of microelectronics and OLEDs, which contribute to the increased lifetime of the devices.

Learn more about us on our website: www.isotope.com