CatSci Ltd, based in Cardiff, UK, is an innovation partner to the chemical research, development, and manufacturing industries, specialising in the process research and development for manufacturing drug substance and other high-value materials. CatSci Ltd has extensive knowledge and expertise in a wide range of chemistry from discovery support to full-scale manufacturing and life-cycle management.

As the company continues to grow, CatSci now requires an experienced Reaction Engineer – Pharmaceuticals to join a dynamic team in our world-class facility in Cardiff. The key activity of this position is the utilisation of first principles and data-driven models to enable digital exploration and optimisation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) development space.

Your Impact as Reaction Engineer – Pharmaceuticals

Reaction Engineering Scientist is a laboratory and capability build role working at the interface between chemistry and chemical engineering. You will design and execute experiments that identify reaction kinetics and mass transfer issues that could affect product quality, process safety and manufacturability. You will use your passion for physical organic chemistry skills to transform these laboratory experiments into knowledge and recommendations for our clients.

Reaction Engineering Scientist support API projects through all phases of development. Early in development, scientists focus on ensuring that the process can be run safely, identifying and addressing scale-up issues, and developing the final (API) process step. Later in the development process, scientists optimise the API process and lead process campaigns run in the R&D Pilot Plant.

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager, Reaction Engineering Scientist’s responsibilities will include:

  • Designing model-based experimental strategies for laboratory execution
  • Development of process and equipment digital twins
  • Understanding the sensitivity of processes to physical and equipment parameters and predicting the performance of these processes in specific manufacturing scale equipment
  • Identifying gaps in current workflows and working with external partners to evaluate and internalise next-generation process modelling techniques for pharmaceutical development

Requirements for Reaction Engineer – Pharmaceuticals

  • Established subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas: process modelling and simulation, physical organic chemistry, chemical engineering
  • Knowledge of the fundamental principles of chemical engineering related to unit operations and scale-up, specifically reaction kinetics, reactor design, chemical thermodynamics, heat and mass transport, engineering statistics
  • Pharmaceutical background (desirable)
  • Ability to use modelling software (e.g. Aspen, DynoChem, Visimix)
  • A strong interest in process/technology development and scale-up
  • Knowledge of statistical tools and Design of Experiment principles
  • A good foundational understanding of synthetic organic chemistry

Benefits

  • Competitive salary: £34,000 – £45,000 per annum
  • 25 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday + 2 charity days
  • Company benefits
  • Annual bonus
  • Wellbeing Program
  • Permanent and temporary opportunities
  • Flexible working arrangements (subject to prior agreement)
  • The best team to work with (even if it is us saying so!)

*As an equal opportunities employer, we will provide reasonable support to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments in order to attend/ perform in the interview, please do not hesitate to let us know.