Associate Scientist – Drug Formulation

Scorpion Therapeutics; Bridgewater (MA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics in Bridgewater, NJ is seeking an Associate Scientist to advance nanoparticle-based drug delivery platforms for RNA/gene therapies. You will design, optimize, and characterize lipid nanoparticle formulations and other nanoparticle systems.

Responsibilities include conducting formulation studies, encapsulation and stability assessments, and physicochemical characterization (size, PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, release kinetics).

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and characterize nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems for RNA/gene-based therapeutics.
• Work on formulation and characterization of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and other NP delivery systems.
• Design and execute formulation studies, including nucleic-acid encapsulation, analytical testing, and stability evaluations.
• Perform physicochemical characterization (e.g., size, PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, release kinetics).
• Use analytical methods such as DLS, NTA, UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEC, SDS-PAGE, HPLC, and fluorescence-based assays.
• Support protein bioconjugate work (design/synthesis/purification) and evaluate conjugates (stability, efficiency, binding).
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose data-driven solutions.
• Conduct data/statistical analysis (Excel, GraphPad Prism); maintain electronic notebook records and write internal technical reports.

Job description

Associate Scientist, Drug Formulation

What You’ll Do

• Develop, optimize, and characterize nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems for RNA/gene-based therapeutics.
• Work on formulation and characterization of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and other NP delivery systems.
• Design and execute formulation studies, including nucleic-acid encapsulation, analytical testing, and stability evaluations.
• Perform physicochemical characterization (e.g., size, PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, release kinetics).
• Use analytical methods such as DLS, NTA, UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEC, SDS-PAGE, HPLC, and fluorescence-based assays.
• Support protein bioconjugate work (design/synthesis/purification) and evaluate conjugates (stability, efficiency, binding).
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose data-driven solutions.
• Conduct data/statistical analysis (Excel, GraphPad Prism); maintain electronic notebook records and write internal technical reports.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience.
• Hands-on experience with nanoparticle-based formulation development and analytical characterization.

Nice to Have

• Nucleic-acid delivery experience (lipid/polymeric); nucleic-acid encapsulation techniques.
• Bioconjugate/targeted delivery experience.
• Stability testing, release profiling, formulation optimization.
• Independent experimental design/execution and presentation.

Where You’ll Work / Travel

• Bridgewater, NJ; full-time, in-person. Minimal travel.

Pay Range

• $103,000.00–131,000.00 annual.