Job Detail

As the Head of Process Chemistry, you will be working in the department “Process Chemistry & Catalysis” within the function “Small Molecules Technical Development”.

Behind every presentation of each product sold by Roche is the involvement of Pharma Global Technical Operations (PT). Starting with Phase I of the development process and continuing through to product maturity, PT makes medicines at sites around the world and includes more than 12 000 employees worldwide.

"Global Technical Development" (PTD) is an organization of over two thousand people globally that are integral for the mission of Roche to develop meaningful medicines for patients. Therefore, PTD actively collaborates and develops innovative technical solutions to bridge early-stage, late-stage and commercial product needs. The mandate of our organization is, to reliably deliver the pipeline and supply quality products to patients. Our organization excel in our work through innovation, collaboration, dedication, and mutual respect and add value every day, continuously improving what we do.

“Small Molecules Technical Development” (PTDC) brings a broad range of experience across drug substance (DS), drug product (DP), and collaborates closely with key partners in the departments Research and Early Development (pRED / gRED), commercial manufacturing (PTC) and PTD.  PTDC is responsible for late stage technical development of our small molecules pipeline and manufacture of drug substance and drug product for clinical studies across our small molecules manufacturing network.

The Head of Process Chemistry leads a section responsible for end-to-end process chemistry, from the design of new synthetic routes to the development of save, reliable and sustainable commercial manufacturing processes of synthetic drug substances throughout all clinical phases until transfer to commercial manufacturing.

Key responsibilities are:

• Leading a Process Chemistry Section with approx. 5 labs and 20 employees (scientists and associates) according to the Roche Leadership Commitments


• Supporting a portfolio of projects by assigning resources, setting priorities and providing good judgment for decision making and problem solving


• Further develop your section towards a lean and agile organization


• Fostering the development of cost efficient and robust processes and process understanding by using state of the art science and methodologies to enable lean manufacturing


• Supporting Roche’s regulatory submissions by applying principles of Quality by Design to drug substance development and corresponding documentation while ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory requirements

As the Head of Process Chemistry, you hold a PhD degree in organic chemistry with at least 8 years of experience in process research & development and scale-up of small molecule drug substances for all phases of clinical development as well as for commercial manufacturing. This is demonstrated by publications in scientific literature, patents and authoring of regulatory documents.

Other key requirements are:

• Extensive experience in the development of cost efficient and robust manufacturing processes by using state of the art science and methodologies


• Proven track record as a people and matrix leader


• Excellent understanding of scientific methodology, principles of data integrity and good documentation practices


• Comprehensive understanding of regulatory environment within the pharmaceutical industry


• Excellent communication skills and a strong ability of building and maintaining constructive and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders as well as strong collaboration and team building skills across cultures, countries, technical competencies, and organizational levels

Roche is an equal opportunity employer.

Research & Development, Research & Development > Research