Associate Director, Analytical Sciences (Tech Ops)

About the Role

The Associate Director, Analytical Sciences will provide scientific leadership and strategic direction for analytical sciences across the biologics development portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Director, Tech Ops, this individual will establish department-wide analytical strategies, drive late-stage analytical development, and provide technical leadership to ensure robust, phase-appropriate analytical control strategies and analytical methods. The role ensures phase-appropriate characterization of products leading to a BLA filing and serves as the senior scientific leader for Analytical Sciences, functioning as a strategic partner to Analytical Project Leads and other functional experts.

This full-time, regular position will be located onsite in Durham, NC.

Responsibilities

• Functional Leadership
  • Establish and evolve the Analytical Sciences strategy to support the company’s growing development portfolio.
  • Develop best practices, scientific standards, and analytical governance across programs.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen departmental capabilities, technologies, and external partnerships.
  • Mentor scientists and contribute to building a high-performing analytical organization.
• Technical Leadership
  • Provide scientific leadership for analytical lifecycle management, comparability strategies, method validation, specification development, reference standard strategy, and control strategy development.
  • Guide analytical planning for late-stage clinical development, process validation, commercial readiness, and regulatory submissions.
  • Lead scientific evaluation of complex analytical challenges and recommend strategic solutions.
• Cross-Program Collaboration
  • Partner with Analytical Project Leads to provide scientific consultation, establish department-wide analytical strategies, and promote consistency of analytical approaches across the development portfolio.
  • Collaborate with Cell Line Development, Upstream and Downstream Process Development, Formulation Development, Pilot Plant, Bioassay, Quality, Manufacturing, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure integrated CMC strategies.
  • Support portfolio planning by identifying cross-program opportunities, technical risks, and resource needs.
  • Support Quality in updating SOPs and procedures to be phase appropriate.
• External Scientific Leadership
  • Provide scientific oversight for external analytical laboratories and CROs.
  • Lead technical interactions with external partners and support due diligence, technology transfers, and regulatory inspections.
  • Evaluate emerging analytical technologies and recommend implementation where appropriate.
  • Lead investigations as necessary for out-of-trend / out-of-specification results.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or related Biological Sciences with 6+ years of experience in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech analytical CMC industry, or B.S./M.S. in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or related Biological Sciences with ≥ 12 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech analytical CMC industry.
• Demonstrated experience advancing biologic products through IND and clinical development.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary CMC teams in a matrix environment.
• Experience managing CDMOs and external development partners.
• Strong understanding of CMC regulatory expectations for biologic products.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Phase 2/3 development, commercial readiness, and BLA submissions.
• Experience with addressing regulatory questions from worldwide health authorities.
• Experience with technology transfer, comparability, process validation, and lifecycle management.
• Experience supporting due diligence and strategic partnerships with CROs as well as providing oversight to these companies.
• Experience working in a fast-paced biotechnology environment with multiple concurrent development programs.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and health benefits, 401k.
• Opportunities for training and career advancement.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Access to cutting-edge research and technology.