Drug Development Materials Science Associate

Eurofins; New London (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Eurofins Scientific seeks an Associate Scientist to support laboratory tasks involving salt and polymorph screening, solid-state characterization, and particle analysis of drug candidates. The role focuses on crystallization, screening, and physical characterization to inform formulation decisions.

Based in Groton, CT, the position requires a BS/MS in pharmaceutical science or related field, with 2+ years of experience.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field with 2+ years' experience
• Strong background in solid-state characterization of small molecules
• Experience with data analysis and interpretation
• Familiarity with infrared spectroscopy and/or SSNMR is a plus
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with cross‑functional teams
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Interest in learning new technologies and concepts

Responsibilities

• Conduct solid state characterization (XRD, thermal analysis, moisture sorption, microscopy, spectroscopy) of pharmaceutical candidates
• Support crystallization, polymorph, salt, and co-crystal screening activities per project timelines
• Perform API particle characterization (size, shape, surface energy) and related analyses
• Collaborate with Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation and Biopharmaceutics to align solid form strategies for clinical studies
• Ensure accurate entries in electronic lab notebooks per good practices
• Solve materials science problems using contemporary experimental techniques
• Contribute to development of new scientific approaches within Materials Science
• Maintain documentation and data integrity throughout experiments

Skills

Solid-state characterization

Data analysis

Independent work

Verbal and written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical science/chemistry/chemical engineering

Master's degree in related field (preferred)

Tools

X-ray powder diffraction

DSC/TGA

FTIR/NIR/FT-Raman

SSNMR (advantage)

Job description

Company Description

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins laboratories work with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic and labelling is accurate. The Eurofins network of companies is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing and in agroscience Contract Research Organisation services. It is one of the market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and in the support of clinical studies, as well as having an emerging global presence in Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations. It also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products. In over 30 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to 58,000 staff across a decentralised and entrepreneurial network of 900 laboratories in over 54 countries. Eurofins companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products. In 2021, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR 6.72 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years.

Job Description

The Associate Scientist provides laboratory support in synthesizing salt forms and polymorphs of drug candidates and evaluates these forms for acceptability as drug substances with respect to chemical manufacturing and formulation into pharmaceutical products. The successful candidate will engage in solid form characterization and in particle characterization. The position is based in Groton, CT (USA).

Role Responsibilities

• Conduct solid state characterization (e.g., X-ray powder diffraction, thermal analysis, moisture sorption, microscopy, spectroscopy) of small molecules of pharmaceutical relevance.
• Support multidisciplinary project teams and collaborate with colleagues to define and implement crystallization, polymorph, salt, and co-crystal screening activities according to project timelines.
• Support multidisciplinary project teams and collaborate with colleagues to define and implement API particle characterization activities according to project timelines.
• Conduct physical and surface characterization of powders of pharmaceutical relevance. This includes particle characterization (e.g., particle size, shape) and surface characterization (e.g., surface energy, surface roughness).
• Collaborate with colleagues in Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation and Biopharmaceutics to define and implement screening and characterization strategies consistent with solid form selection for clinical studies.
• Solve scientific problems using contemporary Materials Science experimental techniques.
• Contribute to the development of new scientific approaches and knowledge within the Materials Science organization.
• Ensure contemporaneous and accurate entries are made in the electronic laboratory notebook system according to accepted good practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (BS) with 2+ years of experience or a Master's degree (MS) in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Strong pharmaceutical, API, small molecules testing for drug production is strongly preferred
• Experience in solid state characterization techniques (such as x-ray powder diffraction, polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, spectroscopy, etc.). Strong data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Experience and understanding of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR, NIR, FT-Raman) and/or SSNMR is an advantage.
• Experience with solving Materials Science problems, e.g., solid state chemistry and particle characterization using experimental approaches and team collaboration.
• Understanding of physical, analytical, and organic chemistry.
• Good organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• A strong interest and motivation to learn new technologies and concepts is expected.
• Some programming experience is a plus, but not required.

Additional Information

• Position is Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm Overtime as needed
• May be requested to work on weekends, overtime, and holidays based on business needs
• Candidates currently living within a commutable distance of Groton, CT are encouraged to apply.
• Excellent full-time benefits, including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship

Eurofins USA PSS Insourcing Solutions is a Disabled and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity employer.