Associate Scientist: Pharmaceutical Powder & Process Engineering

ThermoFisher Scientific; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Thermo Fisher Scientific in South San Francisco, CA, seeks an Associate Scientist to oversee clinical laboratory testing, ensure result accuracy, and mentor staff within our PPD Laboratory Services portfolio. You’ll contribute to quality, compliance, and efficient operations in a fast-paced lab environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on powder processing, in‑process testing, and data handling, with a focus on solid dosage form development and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with foundational lab experience.
• 0-1 years of related work experience or internship acceptable.
• Strong documentation and data interpretation skills.

Responsibilities

• Powder Processing: handle solid dosage form development processes.
• In-Process Testing & Characterization of powders and compacts.
• Drug product manufacturing for tablets and capsules per batch records.
• Maintain ELNs and batch records with real-time data entry.
• Data analysis using Excel, statistics or Python scripts.
• Adhere to safety procedures and SOPs.

Skills

Experimental Execution

Time Management

Communication

Teamwork

Technical Knowledge

Software Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Python

Job description

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Laboratory Setting, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

Join us as an Associate Scientist!

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life - enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development and delivery of life-changing therapies. With clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries and ongoing development of novel frameworks for clinical research through our PPD clinical research portfolio, our work spans laboratory, digital and decentralized clinical trial services. Your determination to deliver quality and accuracy will improve health outcomes that people and communities depend on – now and in the future.

Our PPD® Laboratory Services team has a direct impact on improving patient health through the expertise of scientists, industry thought-leaders and therapeutic experts. As the world leader in serving science, our laboratory professionals bring their commitment to accuracy and quality to deliver groundbreaking innovations.

As an Associate Scientist your role will be to oversee the operations of clinical laboratory testing, ensure the accuracy and reliability of results, manage and mentor lab staff, and uphold the highest standards of quality and compliance in all laboratory practices.

What You’ll Do:

Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutics (SMP), within Drug Discovery in Research and Early Development (gRED) is responsible for delivering clinical supplies to the clinic and developing a robust and scalable manufacturing process, including the controls to ensure quality products for our patients. You will have an opportunity to immerse yourself in a collaborative environment and master the intricacies of early-phase clinical trial material delivery. Join our department, renowned for its groundbreaking research and rapid translation of discoveries and gain hands‑on insights into drug development from industry leaders.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification
• Must have a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 0 to 1 years).

In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Powder Processing: Conduct hands‑on powder handling operations pertaining to solid dosage form development, including weighing, sieving, blending, granulation, milling, powder compaction, and film coating using bench‑scale and at‑scale equipment.
• In-Process Testing & Characterization: Perform routine, meticulous assessments of powder and compact properties, such as powder flowability, powder density, mechanical characterization of compacts, disintegration testing, and other relevant characterization.
• Drug product manufacturing: Perform manufacturing operations for solid oral dosage forms (tablets and capsules) by following Batch Records and SOPs.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate, real‑time documentation in Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs), batch records, and other data management systems.
• Data analysis: Perform comprehensive data processing and analysis leveraging tools such as Excel spreadsheets, statistical software, or Python scripts
• Safety & Compliance: Adhere strictly to all laboratory safety protocols, equipment handling procedures, and SOPs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experimental Execution: Proficiency in following complex, repetitive experimental protocols and batch records without deviation.
• Software Proficiency: Must have demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) for documentation and data management.
• Technical Knowledge: Knowledge and hands‑on experience in powder processing, handling, and characterization is highly desired.
• Technical Background: A strong background in applied mathematics and core engineering principles is advantageous and considered a significant plus.
• Time Management: Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to maintain focus and quality during routine tasks while meeting deadlines under pressure.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills to record data accurately and report findings to project teams.
• Teamwork: Thrive in collaborative, fast‑paced settings and actively contribute to cross‑disciplinary project teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands‑on experience with solid dosage form development and powder characterization.
• Solid mathematical and engineering background.
• Prior hands‑on experience in a 100% lab‑based operational environment is highly preferred.
• Complements our culture and the standards that guide our daily behavior & decisions: Integrity, Courage, and Passion.

Working Conditions and Environment:

• Work is performed in a laboratory and/or a clinical environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
• Occasional drives to site locations, occasional domestic travel.
• Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms.
• Rare exposure to skin and lung irritants, radiation, toxic materials and hazardous waste.
• Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves.
• Exposure to fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures on rare occasions.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in an upright and /or stationary position for 6-8 hours per day.
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists to operate lab equipment.
• Occasional mobility needed.
• Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Frequently interacts with others to obtain or relate information to diverse groups.
• Works independently with little guidance or reliance on oral or written instructions and plans work schedules to meet goals. Requires multiple periods of intense concentration.
• Performs a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence. Ability to perform under stress. Ability to multi‑task.
• Regular and consistent attendance.

Why Join Us?

When you join Thermo Fisher Scientific, you become part of a global team that values passion, innovation, and a commitment to scientific excellence. You’ll work in an environment where collaboration and development are part of the everyday experience – and where your contributions truly make a difference.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $32.89–$38.00.

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. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.