Director of Formulation Chemistry

Director of Formulation Chemistry

Monarch Crops is seeking a Director of Formulation Chemistry to translate our hit Monarch repellent compounds from milligram‑scale discoveries into pilot and manufacturing scale formulations. You will optimize solvent systems, develop controlled‑release systems, and ensure robust, reproducible processes for field trials and commercial production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead bench‑to‑pilot scale‑up of candidate compounds, focusing on solvent selection, solvent recovery, controlled release, and other critical scale‑up variables
• Design and execute experiments to assess solubility, stability, and volatility
• Troubleshoot formulation issues and iterate quickly under real‑world constraints
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with predictive‑modeling, behavioral assay, and computational chemist groups

Required Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years’ hands‑on scale‑up or process chemistry experience
• Deep understanding of solvent properties, controlled release phenomena, and formulation principles
• Track record of developing robust, reproducible processes
• Strong data analysis, documentation, and troubleshooting skills

Desired Attributes

• Entrepreneurial mindset: thrives in ambiguity and high‑pressure environments
• Resilient problem‑solver: tackles "hardest things" head‑on
• Communicates clearly, honestly, and respectfully
• Collaborative spirit

About Monarch

Building an alternative to insecticides is one of the most important technical challenges of our time. Most fruits and vegetables are sprayed with insecticides, many of which are toxic. Monarch is developing a spatial repellent that protects crops from insects, humans from toxins, and insects from needless harm. Our approach combines genomic, molecular, and behavioral data with computational chemistry and machine learning to identify compounds that trigger a "fly away" signal.