Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: SAR • Drug Discovery • HPLC

Scale-up

Term from Pharmaceutical Research industry explained for recruiters

Scale-up refers to the crucial process of taking a drug or pharmaceutical product from small laboratory quantities to larger production volumes suitable for clinical trials or commercial manufacturing. It's like taking a recipe that works for cooking dinner for four people and adjusting it to serve four hundred - but with strict safety and quality requirements. This process requires careful planning to ensure the final product maintains its quality and effectiveness when made in larger batches. In job descriptions, this term indicates work involving the transition of pharmaceutical processes from research to production levels.

Examples in Resumes

Led Scale-up projects for three new pharmaceutical compounds from laboratory to pilot plant production

Managed Scale-up and Process Scale-up activities for clinical trial materials

Successfully completed Scale-up Operations for multiple generic drug formulations

Typical job title: "Scale-up Scientists"

Also try searching for:

Process Development Scientist Scale-up Engineer Chemical Engineer Process Engineer Manufacturing Scientist Pharmaceutical Engineer Production Scientist

Where to Find Scale-up Scientists

Professional Associations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a challenging scale-up project you managed and how you overcame the difficulties?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership in handling complex transitions from lab to production, problem-solving skills, and understanding of both technical and regulatory requirements. They should mention risk assessment and team coordination.

Q: How do you ensure consistent product quality when scaling up from lab to commercial production?

Expected Answer: Candidate should discuss quality control measures, process parameters monitoring, documentation practices, and regulatory compliance strategies. They should emphasize the importance of maintaining product specifications across different production scales.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when planning a scale-up process?

Expected Answer: Expect discussion of equipment capabilities, material requirements, time management, cost considerations, and quality control measures. Should show understanding of both technical and practical aspects of scaling up production.

Q: How do you handle unexpected issues during scale-up operations?

Expected Answer: Look for problem-solving approach, knowledge of troubleshooting methods, understanding of when to seek help, and ability to document and learn from challenges.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between laboratory-scale and production-scale manufacturing?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic differences in equipment size, batch quantities, processing times, and general challenges when moving from small to large scale production.

Q: Why is documentation important in scale-up processes?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of the need for detailed records, regulatory requirements, and the value of documentation for process repeatability and troubleshooting.