FSP Scientist: Pre-Formulation

This is a fully onsite role based at our customer’s site in Carmel Valley, San Diego, CA. We welcome applicants from all locations within the US; relocation assistance is not provided. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and able to pass a comprehensive background check, including drug screening.

Schedule

Standard Monday–Friday.

Environmental Conditions

• Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and safety standards
• Laboratory setting with required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs, etc.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous elements, including infectious agents, typically found in laboratory environments
• Ability to work upright and stationary for typical working hours
• Ability to lift and move objects up to 25 pounds
• Ability to work in non-traditional work environments
• Proficiency with standard office equipment and technology

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on laboratory assistance to support preformulation, materials science, and compounding activities for small molecule, peptide, and antibody drug development projects
• Maintain laboratory equipment, perform calibrations/verifications, and prepare vehicles/buffers/solutions as needed
• Assist in studies such as solubility, characterization, and preclinical formulation development to support selection and optimization of developable candidates
• Create and manage documentation for study planning, laboratory inventory, and instrument maintenance schedules
• Prepare solvents, standards, buffers, and other solutions with proper weighing, record-keeping, and adherence to safety protocols
• Operate and maintain laboratory instrumentation and equipment, and facilitate service with technicians as needed
• Collaborate and assist other lab scientists in preparing samples and performing lab support tasks
• Assemble and maintain documentation of data to allow efficient retrieval of results
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in lab sciences such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, or similar
• 2–4 years of comparable experience in a chemistry, analytical, or characterization laboratory setting
• Experience with preformulation and/or characterization equipment such as HPLC, PXRD, DSC, TGA, and SEM is a plus
• In some cases, an equivalency consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training, and/or directly related experience may be considered
• Ability to execute experiments efficiently and suggest small process improvements
• Ability to recognize patterns or inconsistencies in data results
• Ability to deduce meaningful results while conducting routine analyses or troubleshoot minor issues
• Good knowledge of one scientific discipline and developing knowledge of scientific principles, methods, and techniques
• Good knowledge and some experience working with discipline-specific laboratory equipment/tools
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Good computer skills
• Developing communications, problem-solving, analytical thinking, planning, and organization skills
• Detail-oriented with an understanding of the importance of meeting deadlines

Skills

• Familiarity with physical and analytical techniques as they pertain to biopharmaceutical properties
• Ability to learn quickly and think independently
• Familiarity with the development and execution of chemical and instrumental methods (e.g., HPLC, Solubility Analysis, DSC, TGA, PXRD, Particle-Size Analysis, GVS, PLM, T3, and SEM)
• Some knowledge of a cGMP-regulated environment, including familiarity with relevant US/EU regulatory and quality requirements, standards, and practices
• Familiarity with biotech/pharma manufacturing operations and product and process development
• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration and annual incentive plan bonus
• Healthcare benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, and paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave)
• Accident, life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
• Retirement and savings programs, including a competitive 401(k) plan
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

Pay

The hourly pay range for this position based in California is $31.00–$39.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.