Principal Research Scientist - Product development

Scorpion Therapeutics; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Annual bonus offering

8-week parental leave

6% 401K matching

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics seeks a Senior Research Scientist to lead parenteral drug product development in small molecule programs. You will plan and execute sterile formulation work, ensure aseptic processing, and supervise lab activities across R&D and external collaborators.

The role requires a PhD in pharmaceutical science with 5+ years in industry, strong GMP knowledge, and experience with lyophilization and injectable technologies. Occasional travel and relocation support are anticipated.

Qualifications

• PhD in pharmaceutical science with 5+ years in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in parenteral formulation development and process scale-up.
• Track record with lyophilization, sterile filtration, aseptic filling, and sustained-release injectables.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and coordinate formulation lab work for sterile product development.
• Design, review, and recommend changes to protocols for aseptic processing.
• Perform data analysis and present results at meetings.
• Troubleshoot formulation stability, sterility, and manufacturing processes.
• Write reports and SOPs; support registration documents; may write publications.
• Evaluate new technologies for parenteral drug delivery.
• Collaborate with associates; train/coach peers; may supervise local team members.
• Maintain clean/safe sterile lab; manage equipment maintenance.
• Oversee external partners (CRO/CDO/CMO); define next steps.
• Work according to SOPs/GxP/HSE/AW with emphasis on cGMP for sterile products.

Skills

Parenteral formulation

Sterile manufacturing

Lyophilization

Aseptic filling

GMP/regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Education

PhD in pharmaceutical science

Job description

Senior Research Scientist for Parenteral Drug Products in Small Molecule

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and coordinate daily/weekly formulation lab work for sterile product development, including sustained release and long-acting parenteral small-molecule and peptide dosage forms.
• Design, review, and recommend changes to scientific protocols/procedures, especially for aseptic processing and sterile manufacturing.
• Perform data analysis; present results at meetings.
• Troubleshoot parenteral formulation stability, sterility, and manufacturing processes.
• Write reports; prepare SOPs/working procedures; support preparation of registration documents; may write external publications.
• Evaluate new scientific technologies and procedures for parenteral drug delivery.
• Collaborate with associates for knowledge exchange; train/coach peers; may supervise local team members.
• Maintain organized/clean/safe sterile lab environment; manage equipment maintenance/evaluation.
• Oversee external partners (CRO/CDO/CMO), evaluate results, and define next steps.
• Work according to SOPs/GxP/HSE/AW with strong emphasis on cGMP for sterile products.

Qualifications

• PhD in pharmaceutical science with 5+ years’ pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Experience in parenteral formulation development and process scale-up.
• Track record with lyophilization, sterile filtration, aseptic filling, and sustained-release injectables.
• Ideally experienced with long-acting/depot dosage forms.
• Strong GMP and regulatory knowledge (VICH/ICH) for sterile manufacturing and quality control.
• Ability to work across R&D, manufacturing, and external collaborators; innovative mindset.

Language

English

Travel

~5–10%

Benefits

• Multiple relocation packages; two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in US (in addition to PTO); 8-week parental leave; 9 Employee Resource Groups; annual bonus offering; flexible work arrangements; up to 6% 401K matching.