Associate Scientist, Formulations

Cytokinetics, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

401k retirement benefits

Job summary

Cytokinetics, Inc. in South San Francisco, CA, is seeking an Associate Scientist, Formulation Development, to advance small-molecule therapies across our development pipeline.

You will manage internal formulation lab operations and support prototype formulation and drug product development, collaborating with Analytical Development, Chemical Development, DMPK, and EH&S. The role offers exposure to oral solid dosage form development, scale-up of drug product manufacturing processes, and detailed

Qualifications

• BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline with 6+ years of industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting pharmaceutical formulation and/or drug product development activities in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
• Working knowledge of oral solid dosage form development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and product development processes.

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and evaluate prototype formulations for oral solid dosage forms.
• Design, execute, and document laboratory experiments related to formulation screening, optimization, process development, and product characterization.
• Collaborate cross functionally with DMPK, Analytical Development, Chemical Development, and other supporting groups to advance development programs.

Skills

Pharmaceutical formulation knowledge

Oral solid dosage development

Laboratory experimentation

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline

MS in the same fields

Tools

High shear granulation

Milling

Blending

Tableting

Film coating

Spray drying

Job description

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.

Cytokinetics is seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist, Formulation Development, to contribute to the advancement of innovative small-molecule therapies across our development pipeline. In this role, the individual will manage and execute internal formulation laboratory operations, supporting prototype formulation and drug product development activities, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including Analytical Development, Chemical Development, DMPK, and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). Based on-site in South San Francisco, the successful candidate will work alongside Formulation Development and Pharmaceutical Engineering team members across multiple programs. This position provides an exciting opportunity to expand expertise in pharmaceutical development while playing a meaningful role in advancing therapies aimed at improving the lives of patients with serious diseases.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, preparation, and evaluation of prototype formulations for oral solid dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, suspensions, and enabling formulations.
• Design, execute, and document laboratory experiments related to formulation screening, optimization, process development, and product characterization.
• Evaluate formulation performance through physical, chemical, and biopharmaceutical characterization studies.
• Assist in the development and scale-up of drug product manufacturing processes.
• Analyze experimental data, summarize results, and communicate findings to project teams and management.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, study protocols, laboratory documentation, and development summaries to effectively communicate experimental results, scientific conclusions, and development recommendations.
• Collaborate cross functionally with DMPK, Analytical Development, Chemical Development, and other supporting groups to advance development programs.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure work is performed in compliance with applicable quality and safety standards.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, instrumentation, raw material inventory, and samples to ensure effective laboratory operations.
• Conduct routine laboratory equipment setup, operation, troubleshooting, cleaning and maintenance of formulation and process equipment.
• Coordinate calibration and preventive maintenance activities with internal stakeholders and vendors and ensure equipment records are maintained and current.
• Serve as a laboratory safety representative and primary liaison with EH&S for assigned laboratory areas.
• Support implementation of safety initiatives, participate in laboratory inspections and audits, track corrective actions, and promote compliance with laboratory safety procedures and practices.
• Proactively Identify opportunities to improve laboratory operations, increase efficiency and expand technical capabilities.
• Develop subject matter expertise on key processing and characterization equipment and recommend new applications, workflows, or technologies that enhance formulation development and laboratory productivity.

Qualifications

• BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline with 6+ years of industry experience; or MS with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting pharmaceutical formulation and/or drug product development activities in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
• Working knowledge of oral solid dosage form development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and product development processes.
• Experience conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing data, and documenting scientific results.
• Demonstrated extensive hands-on experience maintaining, setting up, cleaning and operating equipment used for oral solid dose manufacturing, including but not limited to high shear granulation, milling, blending, tableting, film coating, and spray drying.
• Advanced knowledge of pharmaceutical characterization techniques.
• Experience working with CROs and/or CDMOs is a plus.
• Strong scientific curiosity, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and technical communication skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Pay Range

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $121,500 - $141,750. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. Base salary is just one component of our competitive total compensation package, which includes equity in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered.

Our passion is anchored in robust scientific thinking, grounded in integrity and critical thinking. We keep the patient front and center in all we do – all actions and decisions are in service of the patient and their caregivers. We champion integrity, ethics, doing the right thing, and being our best selves.

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.