Assoc. Director, Analytical Development

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals; North Carolina; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, based in Durham, NC, seeks an Associate Director of Analytical Development to provide scientific and operational leadership for analytical development and release testing of our biologics portfolio. You will oversee method development, qualification and transfer at external CDMOs and CTLs, ensuring robust strategies for potency, impurities, and regulatory readiness.

You will collaborate with Drug Substance, Drug Product, Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure product

Qualifications

• PhD or MS/BS with extensive experience in analytical development for biologics.
• Experience supporting regulatory submissions and interacting with Quality and Regulatory teams.
• Proven ability to manage external partners and deliver results in a fast-paced biotech environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication for technical and regulatory documents.
• Experience with GMP release and stability testing of biologics.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and operational leadership for analytical development across biologics programs.
• Lead strategies for potency, impurities and other release assays to support development and commercialization readiness.
• Define CQAs and control strategies, and support regulatory submissions and process changes.
• Oversee method development, qualification, and testing at CDMOs and CTLs for biologics.
• Author and review analytical reports, summaries and regulatory documentation.
• Mentor and lead internal and matrixed teams; drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain relationships with CDMO and CTL partners to manage risk and prioritize work.
• Stay current with CMC regulatory strategies and industry best practices.

Skills

Analytical development

QC

Regulatory submissions

External partner management

Technical writing

Leadership

Mentorship

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Biochemistry

BS/MS with 10–12 years in analytical labs

Job description

COMPANY:

At BioCryst, we share a deep commitment to improving the lives of people living with hereditary angioedema (HAE) and other rare diseases. We leverage our expertise in structure-guided drug design to develop first-in-class or best-in-class oral small-molecule and injectable protein therapeutics. Our global headquarters is in Durham, North Carolina, we have a regional office in Boston, Massachusetts, and our employees span the globe across sites in multiple countries. We are proud of our culture of engagement and accountability that rewards people for innovative thinking and achievement of key objectives. For more information, please visit our website at www.biocryst.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Associate Director of Analytical Development will provide scientific and operational leadership for analytical development and release testing activities supporting BioCryst's biologics portfolio. This role is responsible for overseeing phase-appropriate analytical method development, qualification, transfer and execution at external Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and Contract Test Laboratories (CTLs), with emphasis on potency and impurities assays for biologics. The Associate Director will work cross-functionally with Drug Substance, Drug Product, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs teams to ensure product quality, robust analytical strategies, and timely support of clinical and latestage development programs. This position requires strong technical expertise in biologics analytical sciences, a data-driven mindset, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative biotech environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide scientific and operational leadership for analytical development across biologics programs from early development through late stage and commercialization, primarily at external partners.
• Lead analytical strategies for potency, impurities and other release assays to support biologics development, clinical supply, latestage development, and commercialization readiness.
• Drive interpretation and application of product quality data to define CQAs, QTPPs, control strategies, and characterization packages supporting regulatory submissions and process changes.
• Lead analytical method development, qualification, and testing activities at CDMOs and contract test laboratories, including potency, purity, identity, safety, and other release and stability assays for biologics.
• Author and review high-quality analytical reports, technical summaries and other documentation to support product development.
• Author and review analytical sections of CMC regulatory filings and communicate analytical risks, timelines, and data interpretations to internal teams and external partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with CDMO and CTL partners, applying metrics to manage risk, prioritize work, and drive continuous improvement.
• Stay current with evolving CMC and global regulatory strategies for biologics and small-molecule programs through literature and external networking, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory expectations.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and leadership to internal and matrixed teams, contributing to a high-performing analytical organization.
• Partner with QC and Quality stakeholders to support method validations, method transfer, reference material qualification, deviation and OOS/OOT investigations, CAPA activities, and lifecycle management.
• All other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field with 8-12 years of experience in analytical development and QC supporting biologics programs from preclinical through latestage development.
• BS/MS with 10-12 years of relevant industry experience in analytical laboratories supporting biologics development and manufacturing.
• Strong technical expertise in biologics analytical sciences, including potency and impurities assays, life-cycle management methods, and data interpretation.
• Demonstrated experience supporting regulatory submissions and interacting with Quality and Regulatory functions.
• Proven ability to manage external partners and deliver results in a fast-paced biotech environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience authoring technical reports and regulatory documentation.
• Experience with method development, validation, transfer, and GMP release and stability testing of biologics, including potency and impurities assays, is required.

The statements in this position description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The manager may assign additional responsibilities and assignments from time to time.

BioCryst is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, Veterans status, disability and/or other protected class characteristics. Additionally, BioCryst is committed to achieving its business objectives in compliance with all federal, state and local law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.