Associate Scientist, Preformulations

BioPhase Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 103,000; Part time

Job summary

BioPhase Inc. in San Diego, CA, is seeking a Formulation & Analytical Support Scientist (Contract) to support early-stage small molecule programs. The role involves hands-on formulation work, HPLC testing, and maintaining lab operations to ensure timely study progress.

The successful candidate will have a solid analytical chemistry background, troubleshooting skills, and experience with preclinical dosing formulations. Independent work style and strong data interpretation are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 6+ years of industry experience in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, formulation, or related area.
• Hands-on skill running and troubleshooting HPLC systems; exposure to method development or optimization.
• Strong bench technique including weighing, pipetting, solution preparation, and pH measurement.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and document work carefully.
• Sound scientific judgment and tendency to probe and interpret unexpected results.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and test preclinical dosing formulations following established procedures.
• Run, maintain, and troubleshoot HPLC instrumentation and help refine analytical methods.
• Carry out quantitative testing to confirm formulation concentration and chemical stability.
• Review data, investigate unexpected outcomes, and determine root causes.
• Handle routine bench work: weighing, pH checks, solution preparation, buffers, and mobile phases.
• Maintain electronic notebook records and share results, progress and risks with stakeholders.
• Plan workload to meet study timelines and collaborate with pharmacology, toxicology, and other teams.
• Assist with inventory, ordering, shipments, and keeping the lab space organized.

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry, or a closely related field

Job description

Formulation & Analytical Support Scientist (Contract)

Position Overview

This is a hands-on bench role supporting early-stage small molecule drug programs. You will make and test dosing formulations for preclinical studies, run HPLC-based assays, and keep day-to-day lab operations running smoothly. We are looking for someone with a solid analytical chemistry background, comfortable diagnosing instrument and method problems, and able to dig into surprising results and explain them. Prior experience with preclinical dosing formulations is a strong plus.

What You Will Do

• Prepare and test preclinical dosing formulations independently, following established procedures.
• Run, maintain, and troubleshoot HPLC instrumentation, and contribute to developing and refining analytical methods.
• Carry out quantitative testing to confirm formulation concentration, chemical stability, and other key attributes.
• Review experimental and analytical data with a critical eye, follow up on unexpected outcomes, and determine their root causes.
• Handle routine bench work such as precise weighing, pH checks, preparing solutions, buffers, and mobile phases, and managing samples.
• Keep thorough electronic notebook records and share results, progress, risks, and recommendations with stakeholders.
• Plan your own workload to meet study timelines.
• Partner with colleagues in pharmacology, toxicology, and other research teams to deliver formulations on schedule.
• Help keep the lab running by tracking inventory, ordering supplies, arranging shipments, and keeping the space organized.
• Take on other duties as needed.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry, or a closely related field.
• At least 6 years of industry experience in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, formulation, or a similar area.
• Proven hands-on skill running and troubleshooting HPLC systems, with exposure to method development or optimization.
• Strong bench technique, including weighing, pipetting, solution preparation, and pH measurement.
• Ability to work independently, juggle competing priorities, and document work carefully.
• Sound scientific judgment and a habit of questioning and interpreting results that do not match expectations.

Nice to Have

• Experience making dosing formulations for PK, efficacy, or toxicology studies.
• Background supporting small-molecule discovery or pharmaceutical development.
• Familiarity with formulation stability testing and physicochemical characterization.
• Experience collaborating with DMPK, pharmacology, toxicology, or CMC colleagues.
• Working knowledge of UPLC, LC-MS, or related techniques.