Sr. Scientist, Pharmaceutical Development
Neurocrine Biosciences · San Diego, CA · 1 mo ago
Analyst$131k–$179k/yrFull-time
About the role
Serve as a senior technical leader within Pharmaceutical Development, representing CMC project teams across the product lifecycle from early discovery through commercialization and lifecycle management. Provide strategic and scientific leadership in process development, material characterization, and analytical strategies to enable phase-appropriate development, manage developability risks, and support intellectual property and commercial objectives. Establish and oversee CRO/CMO/CDMO partnerships, supporting technical transfer and manufacturing readiness. Represent CMC on cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality drug products that address molecule-specific challenges and meet regulatory and commercial objectives.
Responsibilities
- Provide scientific and technical leadership across drug product development programs from early discovery through commercial launch, ensuring alignment with program goals, timelines, and regulatory expectations
- Lead weekly or bi-weekly internal and NBI–CMO/CDMO project team meetings; clearly communicate program progress, risks, resource gaps, and timelines up and down the organization
- Design, develop, and scale robust, phase-appropriate formulations and manufacturing processes using Quality by Design (QbD) principles, statistical analysis, and sound scientific methodologies, with a clear path to commercialization
- Lead and contribute to process development activities including experimental design (DoE), process modeling, scale-up, validation, and technology transfer to internal and external manufacturing sites
- Oversee and collaborate with external partners, including CDMOs and vendors, to ensure appropriate technical capabilities, quality, compliance, and supply of clinical and commercial materials
- Act as technical lead and company representative during manufacturing campaigns and on-site activities (“person-in-plant”), providing oversight and ensuring successful execution
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams (e.g., Discovery, Chemical Development, Analytical, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, and Supply Chain) to advance programs and ensure effective knowledge transfer across development stages
- Lead or support CMC strategy and execution, including authorship and review of regulatory submissions (e.g., IND, IMPD, NDA, MAA) and development documentation, ensuring scientific rigor and compliance with global regulatory requirements (ICH, FDA, EMA, cGMP)
- Drive continuous process verification (CPV) and continuous improvement (CPI) activities through data analysis and monitoring of critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs)
- Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership to team members
- Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements
- BS/BA degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years of pharmaceutical industry experience, specifically in a chemistry, analytical, or characterization laboratory setting
- OR MS/MA degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years of similar experience noted above
- OR PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field AND 2+ years of similar experience noted above; may include postdoc experience
- Advanced and comprehensive understanding of cGMP requirements across early- and late-stage drug product manufacturing, with a strong quality and compliance mindset
- Deep technical expertise in product development, including process design, optimization, scale-up, validation, and lifecycle management
- Strong cross-functional understanding of drug development from discovery through commercialization, including CMC strategy and regulatory lifecycle considerations
- Expertise managing CROs and CMOs/CDMOs supporting preclinical, clinical, and commercial programs
- Advanced knowledge of analytical methods, method validation, technology transfer, and stability programs
- Extensive knowledge of characterization instrumentation and techniques; evaluates and implements emerging technologies to enhance development capabilities
- Demonstrated regulatory expertise authoring and reviewing drug product sections of INDs, NDAs, and other global submissions
- Assimilates external scientific literature, competitive intelligence, and emerging technologies for application to internal development programs
- Maintains broad knowledge of scientific principles and theories, with intellectual mastery and recognized expertise in one or more scientific disciplines
- Understands related functional areas and interdependencies across drug development, manufacturing, and regulatory domains
- Holds self and team accountable for results; sets clear objectives and articulates measurable outcomes
Qualifications
- BS/BA degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years of pharmaceutical industry experience, specifically in a chemistry, analytical, or characterization laboratory setting
- OR MS/MA degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years of similar experience noted above
- OR PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field AND 2+ years of similar experience noted above; may include postdoc experience
Skills
- Advanced and comprehensive understanding of cGMP requirements across early- and late-stage drug product manufacturing, with a strong quality and compliance mindset
- Deep technical expertise in product development, including process design, optimization, scale-up, validation, and lifecycle management
- Strong cross-functional understanding of drug development from discovery through commercialization, including CMC strategy and regulatory lifecycle considerations
- Expertise managing CROs and CMOs/CDMOs supporting preclinical, clinical, and commercial programs
- Advanced knowledge of analytical methods, method validation, technology transfer, and stability programs
- Extensive knowledge of characterization instrumentation and techniques; evaluates and implements emerging technologies to enhance development capabilities
- Demonstrated regulatory expertise authoring and reviewing drug product sections of INDs, NDAs, and other global submissions
- Assimilates external scientific literature, competitive intelligence, and emerging technologies for application to internal development programs
- Maintains broad knowledge of scientific principles and theories, with intellectual mastery and recognized expertise in one or more scientific disciplines
- Understands related functional areas and interdependencies across drug development, manufacturing, and regulatory domains
Benefits
- Annual base salary range: $130,800.00 - $179,000.00
- Annual bonus with a target of 30% of the earned base salary
- Eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program
- Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans