Lead Research Scientist

Role details

Senior Research Scientist (Pharma)

Croda is a FTSE 100 specialty chemical manufacturer driven by our purpose of Smart Science to Improve Lives™. With a global presence and deep expertise in high-performance materials, Croda Pharma develops innovative solutions that support pharmaceutical development, drug delivery, and bioprocessing.

We are seeking a Senior Research Scientist – Synthetic Chemistry (Polymer-Enabled) to join our Princeton R&D team. This role is designed for a strong synthetic chemist with a robust background in polymer chemistry and analytical science, who can operate beyond discovery chemistry to deliver scalable, manufacturable solutions within a specialty chemicals environment.

You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Process Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Commercial functions, to translate scientific innovation into practical, industrial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Research Scientist will work closely with cross-functional teams and contribute to the design, development, and characterization of new excipient systems and the improvement of existing ones.

• Lead the design and synthesis of chemical systems, including polymers, small molecules, and hybrid materials for pharmaceutical applications
• Apply polymer chemistry expertise to develop functional excipients, delivery-enabling materials, and specialty chemical solutions, while contributing broadly across synthetic chemistry challenges
• Translate laboratory chemistry into scalable processes, working collaboratively with process development and manufacturing teams
• Utilize analytical chemistry tools (e.g., NMR, HPLC, GPC, LC-MS, FTIR, GC-FID/MS, and thermal analysis) to characterize materials and guide development decisions
• Establish structure–property relationships to inform product performance and application
• Apply data-driven approaches (DoE, statistical analysis) to optimize processes and ensure robustness
• Support identification of critical quality attributes (CQAs) and process parameters (CPPs) for commercial viability
• Troubleshoot challenges related to synthesis, purification, reproducibility, and scale-up
• Collaborate across functions to support technology transfer, commercialization, and customer-driven development
• Generate high-quality technical documentation aligned with regulated or quality-driven environments
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance team culture
• Participate in general lab and instrument maintenance.
• Willing to learn new techniques and application areas.

Qualifications & Experience

• Ph.D. in Chemistry (Polymer, Organic, Materials, or related field)
• Typically 10+ years of relevant industrial experience, ideally within specialty chemicals, pharmaceutical, or related sectors.
• Strong foundation in synthetic chemistry, with demonstrated ability to work across both small molecules and polymeric systems
• Proven experience in polymer design, synthesis, modification, and characterization
• Hands-on experience in analytical chemistry (eg. GC-FID/MS, HPLC-ELSD/MS_and material characterization, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and guide development decisions
• Experience or exposure to pharmaceutical formulation development, including working with excipients, understanding of drug delivery systems, and the ability to translate material properties into formulation performance
• Experience in process development and scale-up, with an appreciation for manufacturing constraints and commercial requirements
• Familiarity with regulated environments (e.g., cGMP or adjacent) and expectations around documentation and data integrity
• Experience applying DoE, statistical tools, and data-driven approaches to process or product development
• Understanding of structure–property relationships and how they translate into product performance
• Ability to operate effectively at the interface of innovation and industrial application
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills in complex chemical systems
• Proven ability to lead and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to translate laboratory findings into practical, scalable solutions
• Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and business impact

What We Offer

Join a global organization with countless opportunities for growth and leadership.

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and benefits package including:

• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, available immediately.
• Generous PTO
• 401K Match
• Wellness Reimbursement
• Parental Leave
• Career Development
• Company paid and voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short and long term disability
• Paid Holidays

Application Information

This is an on-site position based at our Princeton, NJ site.

Annual Base Salary Range: $120,000 to $145,000.

This range reflects the base salary the company reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, experience, education, and skill level. Additional compensation, such as annual bonuses or other incentives, may be offered based on eligibility and company policies.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process or experience any issues with our online application process, please email [email protected] .

*Croda recognizes employees as our strength and the diversity they bring to our workforce are directly linked to our ongoing success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. * *Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans.