Principal Process Development Chemist in Macclesfield

Location: Alderley Park, Cheshire, England

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: £50,000 - £70,000 depending on experience

Date posted: 16th March 2026

Start date: ASAP

The Company: Sai Life Sciences is the fastest growing Indian Contract Research & Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO) and works with innovator biotech and pharmaceutical companies globally to accelerate their discovery, development and commercialisation of small molecules for a healthier tomorrow. With more than 3000 staff globally, R&D facilities in Boston, Manchester & Hyderabad, and large-scale commercial manufacturing in Bidar, India, Sai today works with 18 of the top 25 pharma companies globally, as well as many leading smaller biotechs.

The Role:

• You will join a team that identifies, develops and optimises synthetic routes and processes to APIs and intermediates, supporting both early and late phase development.
• The successful candidate will have a strong technical grounding in Organic Chemistry with significant experience in a relevant industry and a BSc, MSc or PhD with a specialism in Organic Synthesis or Process Chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in early, mid or late-phase route and process development for the manufacture of APIs, intermediates and raw materials, and/or experience with quality by design, technology transfer and commercial production would also be advantageous.
• The candidate is expected to conduct practical, laboratory-based chemistry projects to develop routes and processes and then scale-up to manufacture.
• The candidate should be able to lead chemistry projects as required to develop routes and processes and then scale-up to manufacture.
• There may also be opportunities for line leadership for the right candidate, however line leadership experience is not a requirement for the role.

Essential Requirements:

• Higher or bachelor's degree in chemistry or related scientific discipline with significant relevant experience in a Process or Synthetic Chemistry environment.
• Experienced in the design of chemistry routes and processes for the scale-up of novel APIs, intermediates and raw materials, working alongside analysts and engineers.
• In-depth, hands-on expertise and up-to-date knowledge of organic chemistry and process research and development. Experience of lab-plant tech transfer and project leadership experience is highly desirable.
• Strong scientific track record.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead, design and conduct laboratory experimentation to deliver customer projects.
• Deliver new routes and processes for early-phase APIs and intermediates to enable scale-up to 35 L.
• Deliver optimised processes for mid and late-phase APIs and intermediates to enable scale-up to pilot and production facilities in India.
• Working within multi-functional project teams operating to tight deadlines.
• Leading the chemistry aspects of projects as required.
• Maintain an organised and safe lab environment and encourage others to achieve the same by acting as a role model both in and out of the lab.
• Contribute to project definition activities (proposal writing etc) and support business development activities as required.

Key Attributes:

• Demonstrate learning agility in the use of new technologies and approaches to support chemistry projects.
• Ability to solve complex scientific problems as part of a cross-functional team.
• Excellent communication; both verbal and written. This includes the ability to accurately detail laboratory experimentation in an electronic notebook and ability to write clear and concise project reports and slides as required.
• A team player.
• Conscientious with a can-do attitude with good attention to detail.
• Good project management and supervisory / mentoring skills.

The Offer:

• A competitive Salary and Benefits package including company pension, health and life insurance, minimum of 25 days holiday per year and enhanced family leave.
• Work in a state-of-the-art facility in one of the country's leading Biotech & Life Science Parks.
• Flexible working hours and conditions to suit the right candidate.

Next steps: Please send your CV and cover letter to UKrecruitment@sailife.com with details of the role that you are applying for - or simply apply on LinkedIn in the usual way - you don’t need to do both.

As an Equal Opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. Please note that Sai Life Sciences Ltd is unable to sponsor the visas for any candidates for the above role.