Lead Formulation Scientist – Process Development

VitaKey Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

VitaKey Inc. in Durham, NC is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead formulation and process development for innovative delivery technologies. You will conduct bench experiments, oversee tech transfer to pilot and manufacturing scales, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners.

The role requires hands-on lab work, strong cross-disciplinary communication, and the ability to travel to partner sites and mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD with experience in food, probiotic, pharma delivery, nutraceuticals or cosmetics formulation and/or manufacturing.
• Experience leading QbD scale-up from bench to multi-kg scale for a marketed product preferred.
• Expertise in at least two listed unit operations (spray drying, extrusion, coating, milling or lyophilization).
• Collaborates across formulation science, chemical engineering, and related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of formulation and process development for VitaKey platform technologies.
• Travel to partner manufacturing sites (~35%) and manage tech transfer from lab to pilot/manufacturing scale.
• Identify and manage external partners for materials selection and data transfer.
• Prepare monthly progress reports and present findings in meetings.
• Mentor junior scientists and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Skills

Spray drying

Hot melt extrusion

Fluidized bed coating

Lyophilization

QbD scale-up

Formulation science

Process development

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

MS in food technology / related field

PhD in related field

Tools

FT-IR

Raman spectroscopy

Viscosity measurement

MS/MS

Particle size analysis

Microscopy

DSC

UV-VIS

Job description

VitaKey Inc. in Durham, NC is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead formulation and process development for innovative delivery technologies. You will conduct bench experiments, oversee tech transfer to pilot and manufacturing scales, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners.

The role requires hands-on lab work, strong cross-disciplinary communication, and the ability to travel to partner sites and mentor junior staff.