Senior Process Safety Chemist
Curia
Summary
The Senior Process Safety Chemist is responsible for managing Curia's Process Safety Laboratory to liaise and support project process safety activities at different Curia sites; this includes new business opportunities, development projects, and production activities at manufacturing sites. The role works closely with the Corporate Process Safety Team on daily and strategic items.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Perform desktop-based review of current projects and new business opportunities, providing feedback on potential hazards and necessary testing to technical & bid writing teams
- Conduct literature searches for relevant process safety information (e.g., hazardous properties of materials)
- As necessary, design tailored testing protocols for unique reactive chemical hazards
- Perform and/or direct experiments internally (or externally as appropriate)
- Interpret results through application of process safety principles (e.g., explosive properties, TMR, Stoessel's Criticality Index, dust explosivity)
- Infer safe chemical handling conditions to address physical hazards based on experimental results
- Propose risk-reduction measures to control identified hazards to acceptable levels
- Author, review, and communicate test reports to project teams
- Manage data collection to ensure accessibility across Curia
- Occasionally participate in PHAs (or educate the core team) as a reactive chemical hazards SME
- Work with the Corporate PS team to further develop guidance and to work with sites to implement
- Develop and deliver training packages pertinent to the process safety program
- Manage and prioritize multiple projects effectively to ensure that testing and reports are completed on a timely basis
- Perform regular maintenance of lab equipment, coordinate vendor service/repairing if needed
- Work with Corporate Process Safety to develop and implement a long-term laboratory improvement plan to support evolving business needs
- Perform other related duties as may be reasonably assigned in the course of business
- Ensure that all laboratory operations are conducted in a safe manner in accordance with the Chemical Hygiene Plan
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with at least 1-2 years of experience with an emphasis on process safety
- M.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with at least 2-3 years of experience with an emphasis on process safety
- Hands-on experience with: Thermal stability (e.g., DSC, ARC), calorimetry (e.g., RC1), and gas generation
- Knowledge of chemical explosivity screening (e.g., transport regulations), of dust explosivity testing (e.g., MIE), of flammability (e.g., Flash Point, LEL/UEL), and of electrical conductivity
- Experience with applying process safety data within a chemical batch scale-up environment
Preferred
- Knowledge of synthetic chemistry and pharmaceutical development
- Ability to contribute to PHAs (e.g., HazOp, FMEA, What-If)
- Management/leadership experience and knowledge of business operations
Other Qualifications
- Must pass a background check
- Must pass a drug screen
- May be required to pass Occupational Health Screening
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with at least 1-2 years of experience with an emphasis on process safety
- M.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with at least 2-3 years of experience with an emphasis on process safety
- Hands-on experience with thermal stability (e.g., DSC, ARC), calorimetry (e.g., RC1), and gas generation
- Knowledge of chemical explosivity screening (e.g., transport regulations), dust explosivity testing (e.g., MIE), flammability (e.g., Flash Point, LEL/UEL), and electrical conductivity
- Experience with applying process safety data within a chemical batch scale-up environment
- Must pass a background check
- Must pass a drug screen
- May be required to pass Occupational Health Screening
Benefits
- Health benefits
- Paid training
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Career advancement opportunities
- Education reimbursement
- 401(k) Matching
- Learning platform
Company overview
Curia is a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Headquartered in Albany, New York, the company operates an integrated network of 25 global sites across North America, Europe, and Asia, employing approximately 3,500 professionals. Curia provides comprehensive end-to-end solutions spanning drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services for both small molecules and biologics. Their expertise covers active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing, sterile drug product development, analytical testing, and regulatory support. The company specializes in complex areas including high-potency compounds, controlled substances, sterile APIs, and mRNA manufacturing. With state-of-the-art GMP facilities and a strong focus on innovation, Curia partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to accelerate the development and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics, from early-stage discovery through commercial-scale production.