Bayer AG Pharmaceuticals in Wuppertal sucht eine Senior Principal Peptide Scientist für die externe API-Entwicklung im Bereich Peptid-Wirkstoffchemie. In dieser Rolle verantworten Sie die strategische Ausrichtung und operative Steuerung von Synthesewegen, Herstellungsprozessen und Lieferketten über ein globales CDMO-Netzwerk. Sie leiten die Übersetzung von Discovery-Chemie in skalierbare, phasenadäquate Prozesse und repräsentieren die Drug Substance Chemistry in cross-funktionalen CMC-Projekten. Die Position verbindet wissenschaftliche Führung mit pragmatischer Umsetzung in Entwicklung und Fertigung. Gefordert wird ein PhD in organischer, medizinischer oder Peptidchemie sowie fundierte Erfahrung in externer CDMO-Kollaboration. Das Jahresgehalt liegt zwischen 109.800 und 138.500 Euro zuzüglich variabler Komponente und Equity-Plan.
At Bayer, we turn bold visions into breakthroughs that reshape healthcare, nutrition, and sustainability. If you thrive on solving complex scientific challenges alongside a global community of brilliant minds, this is your moment to make a tangible difference.
As a Senior Principal Peptide Scientist in External API Development, you will architect the chemical backbone of our peptide pipeline. You define and deliver phase-appropriate drug substance strategies, synthetic routes, manufacturing processes, and supply solutions through a global CDMO network. You represent Drug Substance Chemistry within the CMC Technical Development team and own the drug substance contribution to the overall CMC package.
Your Tasks and Responsibilities
- Lead the design, evaluation, and optimization of synthetic routes and manufacturing processes for peptide APIs – balancing speed, quality, safety, cost, sustainability, scalability, and deep process understanding.
- Define phase-appropriate drug substance strategies and select optimal peptide synthesis, purification, isolation, and manufacturing approaches.
- Deliver scientific expertise on protecting-group strategies, coupling and deprotection, aggregation, epimerization, oxidation, impurity formation, purification, isolation, and stability.
- Translate discovery-scale and SAR-driven chemistry into reproducible, scalable, phase-appropriate processes that enable the transition from Discovery into Development.
- Represent Drug Substance Chemistry in cross-functional CMC project teams, contributing to CMC strategy, risk assessment, development planning, supply planning, and regulatory documentation.
- Steer, challenge, and approve route design, process development, scale-up, and manufacturing proposals from external partners.
- Oversee external development and manufacturing campaigns for toxicology studies, clinical trials, registration, launch, and commercial supply – including timelines, risks, budgets, supply scenarios, and partner deliverables.
- Lead process transfers across external partners and into internal development or manufacturing organizations, ensuring knowledge continuity, documentation, troubleshooting, and compliance.
Who You Are
- PhD in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, peptide chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Strong expertise in peptide drug substance development and manufacturing, including solid-phase, liquid-phase, hybrid, fragment-based, and emerging synthesis technologies.
- Hands-on experience in API process development, scale-up, manufacturing, and scientific troubleshooting within an external CDMO model.
- Solid understanding of phase-appropriate CMC requirements: strategy development, risk assessment, development and supply planning, and CMC documentation.
- Confidence in building process understanding and contributing to control strategy concepts for impurities, purification, isolation, and stability.
- Clear communication and effective stakeholder management in global, cross-functional project environments with pragmatic decision-making.
- Strong quality, regulatory, safety, sustainability, and data integrity mindset in development and manufacturing activities.
- Fluent English (written and spoken).
What We Offer
Our benefits package is flexible, appreciative, and tailored to your lifestyle – because what matters to you matters to us.
- Competitive salary between 109,800 € and 138,500 € per year (full-time) plus a variable component and a global equity-based cash plan, based on your qualifications, skills, and experience.
- Flexibility to work how, when, and where suits you best – hybrid work models and part-time arrangements where possible.
- Family-first support: company daycare centers at multiple locations, childcare assistance, time off for caring for elderly or dependent family members, and summer camps for children.
- Professional growth through the Bayer Learning Academy, development dialogues, coaching, and mentoring programs.
- Health and self-care initiatives, including free health checks with the company doctor.
- An inclusive work environment where you are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.
Location: Wuppertal (preferred), Berlin, or Basel
Division: Pharmaceuticals