kilo chemist

Can you walk me through your resume and highlight your most relevant experiences that align with the Kilo Chemist role?

chem grad, in lab: synthesize compounds w reflux and then Isolate them using different tech, filt evaoporation,extraction, or chromatography. To purify: recrystalize or distill, and then analyze the sample via spectroscopy. Sanofi: assist in process change controls in veeva

The job mentions synthesizing, purifying, and isolating chemical intermediates. Have you had experience with this, and if so, can you describe a specific instance where you used these techniques?

synthesized ester compound in organic chem lab via a fisher esterfication and liquid extraction and purified it with a distillation. and then ensured it was truly an ester compound with IR spec

In your internship with Sanofi, you assisted in various product projects and revised templates for communication. Can you describe a time when you encountered a problem or obstacle in your project and how you solved it?

data format,

 Have you ever had to deal with a malfunction or issue with lab equipment or processes? How did you handle it and ensure minimal disruption to operations?

keck clip

 The Kilo Chemist role requires a high level of safety awareness. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to follow strict safety protocols in a lab or work environment?

working with hazardous materials like a strong acid like sulfuric acid. Wore PPE and proper ventilation and then when I add chemical slowly so it wouldnt flash boil

the job description highlights the need for excellent record-keeping skills. Can you give an example of a time when you had to maintain detailed and accurate records under pressure, especially in a lab setting?

One time had to record temp fluctuations and different physical changes with using a solvent while the reaction was on going. Made sure to stay calm and log everything accurately

How do you ensure that your work area remains clean and meets all housekeeping standards? Have you ever had to lead or participate in maintaining a clean and organized lab?

Clean as I go, label everything so I dont get confused

Can you describe a time when you had to collaborate with a team to achieve a goal?

MVP: Cabin

Why are you interested in working as a Kilo Chemist, and what excites you about working in pharmaceutical manufacturing?

How do you communicate when you notice a discrepancy in data or when something isn’t right with the experiment?

 How do you handle working in high-pressure environments with tight deadlines or multiple tasks?

Cava, prioritize the more important tasks and stay calm and ask for help if need be

How do you ensure safety when working with hazardous chemicals or large-scale reactions?

Safety is top priority, PPE

How would you approach a situation where there’s an issue with the chemical supply or raw materials for your synthesis?

Notify supervisor and discuss altertanive sources or solution. Some cases: adjusting the synthesis protocol to accomodate and made sure to these changes and any further ones to keep accurate records

Where do you see yourself in 2-3 years within the pharmaceutical industry, and how does this role fit into your long-term career plans?

in 2-3 years, i See myself in a position where I can take in the production or even research side of pharmaceutical manufacturing. This role will help me develop my technical skills with chemical synthesis even further and will provide a good foundation as I can advance my career in this field

Why do you want this job?

I have worked in numerous labs and have studied chemistry but I want to apply my skills in a real setting. This role combines both my love for chemistry and also making an impact especially when we would be synthesizes active ingredients for things like cancer

How would you communicate with a Shift Leader or supervisor if you encountered a safety issue, equipment malfunction, or any operational concerns during your shift?

ensure that any immediate safety risks are lessened while folowing protocol securing the area, or stopping the processd and then I would immediately communitcate with my shift leader everything that happened and would not leave out any details

 In your lab work, how do you ensure that the data you record is precise and follows good documentation practices?

I follow: GDP: by documenting the data immediately as the experiments is happening using clear and consciese and afterwards I double check my data to make sure everything is accurate and precise and i also make sure that everything is labeled properly

This position requires a keen understanding of GMP and working in a Kilo-Lab environment. Do you have any experience with GMP protocols or large-scale manufacturing operations?

I dont have experience directly with GMP and working in a large scale, since I only worked at a bench scale but in the lab we always followed strict protocols with documentation and safety while keeping the workplace clean which corresponds with GMP. Very similar in the way how SOPS work in a GMP setting. Larger scale: apply my strong lab foundation in an industrial setting and confident with the on the job training ill be able to follow the SOPs

Can you describe your experience with chromatography, and how would you apply it to purifying APIs?

I have experience with chromatography inclduing TLC and but sometimes HPLC. In chemcial quant lab we used HPLC, to analyze and measure the components in the compound. we prepared the samples carefully, calibrated and interpretated. IK that in the pharmaceutical inducstry the HPLC is widely sued to purify APIs to make sure they have a high purity and quality standards. I havent worked with APIs directly.

Tell me about yourself

-Recent chem grad from umass w handson lab experience

-I currently work as an intern at Sanofi working on the regulatory side

_Developed strong foundation in analytical tehniques, documentation, and safety protocols

-Outside the lab, I have built leadership and teamwork skills thru my serivce frat

What do you know about GLP and GMP regs

GLP- for nonclinical lab studies, mandated by FDA focuses on the studies protocols, SOPs for all lab processes, quality assurance, data recording

GMP- for manufacturing, packaging and storing, to quality standards, also have SOPs, commercial production, Regulates: product quality safety, and traceability, Documents: Batch records, SOPs, QC results

Ever scaled up a reaction or considered the challenges of doing so

heat transfer and mass transfer (makes it harder to add or remove heat can cause = difficult, uneven heating or temp spikes), pressure control , mixing, safety risks= magnified

How does HPLC work, and when would you use it over GC

HPLC- separates compounds based on polarity using a liquid mobile phase and a solid stationary phase thermally unstable molecules, that are polar molecules (salts, peptides, proteins) , and when the molecules are large. LIke APIs

GC- for valatile compounds like gases, or certain organic solvents. separate by injecting it where the sample is vaporized into a gas, column= stationary phase, carrier gas pushes a gas along the column, and separates the coumpound

NMR how it works

analyzes how atomic nuclei (H or C) interacts with a strong magneti field and radio waves

Specific frequencey which a nucleus resonates in a magnetic field

Analyzing: chemical shifts, coupling patterns, and peak intergration, which helps comfirm

What does purity mean in API context, and how to confirm it

Desired product relative to impurities, no side effects. Can confirm using HPLC, and using melting point for consistency, spectroscopy for functional groups

Tell me atime when you had to quickly learn a new skill or technique in the lab

learning how to use reflux condensor

Descibe a time when you made a mistake in the lab or work setting

Misread a reagent label and used on wrong concentration, Caught mistake during analysis and informed instructor immediately when I noticed, and repeated experiment, Learn to double check labels, and proceduring before starting

Tell me about a time you had to adapt to last minute change

Organizing new member retreat, the venue canceled last minute,

I found alternative location, adjusted schedule, and updated the eboard and memebrs

 Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond what was expected in a lab or job setting.

Took initiative, ski patroller unmarked patch of rocks and ice, made sure I marked it

What does 'quality and compliance' mean to you?

Quality= means producing results that are accurate, consistent, and reliable

Compliace means: following the rules and protocols put in place, like GMP guidlines, safety standards, documentation practives

top three team priorites

• Communication

• Adaptability

• Positive culture

Top three strengths

• Quick learner: absorb a lot of information, pick things up

• Dependable: Reliable and consistent, and always I meet deadlines

• Emotional Intelligence: aware of my own emotions and sensitive to others around me which can humanize me 

Top 3 weaknesses

• Can be too honest/blunt at times: Value transparency and direct communication, not everyone receives feedback in the same way, so I have been trying to make sure its respectful and constructive 

• Overanalyze/overthink things: I like to consider every possible angle before making decision so it can sometimes slow me down or usually just cause unnecessary stress. Working on trusting my instincts more

• Overly critical to myself: I hold myself to high standards and can be quite critical when I feel I haven’t met them. This self-criticism motivates me to improve but can also cause unnecessary stress.

 What do you do when a team member isn’t contributing their fair share?

I try to understand underlying issue by having a conversation, by having a conversation and make sure i can offer support or help if needed. If the problem continues to keep happening I would respectfully let our manager know and we could come up with a solution

How do you ensure good communication among team members?

Regularly check in, actively listen, and amke sure to make it a collaborative environment. I also make sure everyone is on the same page with their own duties to ensure everything runs smoothly

What qualities do you think make a team successful?

Successful team has clear communication, mutual respect, and is on the same page about the shared goal. Each member of the team has different strengths, and can hold themselves accountable. and we have to trust each other

Tell me about a time you had to work with someone difficult. How did you handle the situation?

There was a time we were working in pairs in the lab, and my partner wasnt really focused on the experiment at hand and her mind just seemed elsewhere. Instead of getting upset with them or just doing everything myself, i talked with them privately for a second to see what was going on and where there mind was at. Turns out they were very stressed out abou t a lab report being due and we can to a decision that I would do a little bit more of the experiement so she wasnt as stressed

Give an example of how you’ve handled multiple responsibilities at once.

Senior year: I was juggling a full class load of 20 credits, while also working part time and being a new member educator in my community service fraternity. I kept a physical planner and prioritized tasks and deadlines

 Tell me about a time you made an improvement to a process or task.

When I worked at Cava, the main line are was very disorganized which was evidently slowing th eline down. I ended reorganizing all the different foods and tops by which was more used and made sure each section stayed cleam

Give an example of how you handled a communication breakdown in a team.

in my service fraternity one of the people that were on the committee missed an important deadline because they got confused with the meeting notes. I talked to them and we talked through the confusion and ensure I reworded future notes for clarity and made sure I set up follow reminders for everyone

 Have you ever received critical feedback? How did you respond?

Yes, during my internship I submitted a document with the incorrect formatting. ANd my manger gave me feedback on that, and from now on I double check and review all documents a lot more carefully so I dont make that mistake

How do you handle conflicts within a team?/ Describe a time

There was a disagreement when I was on the Eboard of my service fraternity on when the service retreat should be majority of us wanted it to be on a saturday, but there was one person who thought it would be better on a sunday. Turns out it was the weekend we were doing it and not actually the day itself, and I ended up talking with them about it and we changed the weekend entirely to make sure it worked for everyone one eboard

Describe a time when you worked effectively as part of a team. What was your role?

lab project group of 4 people had to present our findings. The role I took was facilitator, I made sure everyone was on the same page as to what we needed to accomplish, which was a lab report and a presentation, we all took on our separate roles and check in with each tohre

Describe a situation where you helped a team overcome a challenge. and adapt to changes

When I worked at cava, there were too many people in line and too many online orders to keep up with. we were just overworked and overwhelmed and the rush hour was insane. I ended up talking with my coworkers and manager and we decided to shut down the online ordes entriely and we had some people completing the rest of the onlines and the people that were still waiting for their food and more people worked the main line

how do you contribute to a positive team environment

contribute by being approachable and supprotive and i really try to recognize other people efforts and celebrating the small wins as well

 How would you verify the identity and purity of a compound you synthesized?

I’d use a combination of melting point, IR spectroscopy, and NMR for identity. For purity, HPLC is commonly used (thermally unstable, non volatile) and possibly GC if the compound is volatile (can evaporate good, and thermally STABLE) . I’d compare results to reference standards.

uplc is

similar to HPLC is more advanced and uses smaller particles and higher pressure which allows for faster and more efficient separation