Head of Peptide Research & API Manufacturing
Location: Gurgaon, India
Company: Protein World
Compensation: 1.5 Cr per annum
About Protein World
Protein World is building a vertically integrated peptide research and API manufacturing platform in India. Our objective is to establish a world-class peptide synthesis and purification facility capable of research-grade and future GMP-ready production.
We are hiring a founding technical leader to design, build, and lead this platform from the ground up.
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced peptide manufacturing expert to head our peptide research and API facility in Gurgaon.
This is a founding leadership role with full ownership over:
- Facility design and buildout
- Equipment selection and sourcing
- Process development (SPPS and scale-up)
- Analytical and purification systems
- Quality systems and documentation
- Regulatory readiness roadmap
- Team hiring and training
You will architect and lead the entire peptide manufacturing system.
Key ResponsibilitiesFacility & Infrastructure
- Design laboratory and cleanroom layout (research and GMP-scalable)
- Define HVAC, solvent handling, and safety requirements
- Lead vendor evaluation and capex planning
Equipment & Technical Systems
- Specify and procure:
- Automated peptide synthesizers (SPPS)
- Preparative and analytical HPLC systems
- LC-MS
- Lyophilizers
- Vacuum and solvent recovery systems
- Oversee installation, validation, and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ)
Process Development
- Develop and optimize peptide synthesis protocols
- Improve coupling efficiency and yield
- Manage purification and analytical verification
- Implement scalable manufacturing workflows
Quality & Compliance
- Establish SOPs and batch documentation systems
- Build QA/QC framework
- Prepare facility for GMP upgrade pathway
- Ensure environmental and solvent compliance standards
Leadership
- Hire and train peptide chemists and analysts
- Build a high-performance research and manufacturing team
- Own budget and operational KPIs
Required Qualifications
- PhD or M.Tech in Organic Chemistry, Peptide Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering
- 1015+ years experience in peptide synthesis and API manufacturing
- Extensive hands-on experience with Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS)
- Deep experience operating automated synthesizers
- Strong expertise in preparative HPLC and analytical validation
- Prior experience setting up or scaling peptide manufacturing facilities
- Experience in GMP environments preferred
- Demonstrated leadership and vendor management experience
Ideal Profile
- Has taken peptides from R&D through to commercial production
- Experience with GLP-1 analogs or complex therapeutic peptides
- Familiarity with Indian CDSCO and/or international GMP standards
- Commercially aware: understands cost-per-gram and scale economics
- Comfortable building systems from zero
Application
Qualified candidates are invited to share their CV along with a brief note outlining:
- Peptide facility buildouts you have led
- Equipment platforms you have worked with
- Largest scale you have manufactured
- GMP exposure level
Confidential applications welcome.
TO: [Confidential Information]