Process Development Associate

Planet Pharma; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma in Thousand Oaks, CA, is seeking a Process Development Associate to join the Pre-Pivotal Drug Product Technologies group. You will execute small molecule formulation experiments to support development of oral solid dosage forms for early-stage clinical studies and help build digital platform capabilities.

The ideal candidate has hands-on lab experience in granulation, blending, tablet compression, and coating, plus knowledge of DSC and XRPD and solid dosage testing.

Qualifications

• Hands-on formulation laboratory experience in oral solid dosage form development.
• Experience with unit operations: granulation, blending, tablet compression, film coating.
• Experience with material characterization techniques (DSC, XRPD).
• Familiarity with solubility‑enabling formulations (ASDs, lipid-based).

Responsibilities

• Execute small molecule formulation experiments to support oral solid dosage development for early-stage clinical studies.
• Contribute to creation and optimization of digital platform capabilities for the Drug Product Technologies group.
• Document results and observations and clearly communicate findings to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support design and optimization of drug product formulations and processes for pre-clinical and clinical solid dosage forms.

Skills

Oral solid dosage development

Granulation

Blending

Tablet compression

Film coating

DSC

XRPD

Friability

Disintegration

Dissolution

Density

Flowability

ASDs

Lipid-based formulations

Job description

The Role

Seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and team-oriented Process Development Associate at our Thousand Oaks, CA headquarters to join the Pre-Pivotal Drug Product Technologies organization. In this role, you will be a key member of the Oral and Enabling Delivery Systems group within the Drug Product Technologies (DPT) department. The successful candidate will be responsible for executing small molecule formulation experiments to support the development of oral solid dosage forms for early-stage clinical studies. Additionally, you will contribute to the creation and optimization of digital platform capabilities while supporting experimental efforts to design and optimize drug product formulations and processes for pre-clinical and clinical solid oral dosage forms.

Ideal candidate

The ideal candidate has hands-on formulation laboratory experience in oral solid dosage form development, including common unit operations such as granulation, blending, tablet compression, and film coating. Experience with material characterization techniques such as DSC, XRPD, as well as solid dosage form characterization, including friability, disintegration, dissolution, density, and flowability, is highly desirable. Understanding of solubility enabling formulations, particularly amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) and lipid-based formulations, is an additional advantage. The candidate should be able to independently execute experiments, analyze formulation and process data, accurately document results and observations, and clearly communicate findings to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.

Target PR Range: 19-24/hr DOE

The Role

Seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and team-oriented Process Development Associate at our Thousand Oaks, CA headquarters to join the Pre-Pivotal Drug Product Technologies organization. In this role, you will be a key member of the Oral and Enabling Delivery Systems group within the Drug Product Technologies (DPT) department. The successful candidate will be responsible for executing small molecule formulation experiments to support the development of oral solid dosage forms for early-stage clinical studies. Additionally, you will contribute to the creation and optimization of digital platform capabilities while supporting experimental efforts to design and optimize drug product formulations and processes for pre-clinical and clinical solid oral dosage forms.

Ideal candidate

The ideal candidate has hands-on formulation laboratory experience in oral solid dosage form development, including common unit operations such as granulation, blending, tablet compression, and film coating. Experience with material characterization techniques such as DSC, XRPD, as well as solid dosage form characterization, including friability, disintegration, dissolution, density, and flowability, is highly desirable. Understanding of solubility enabling formulations, particularly amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) and lipid-based formulations, is an additional advantage. The candidate should be able to independently execute experiments, analyze formulation and process data, accurately document results and observations, and clearly communicate findings to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is proactive, adaptable, organized, and scientifically curious, with a strong desire to learn. They are comfortable working in a GMP/SOP-driven environment and can effectively balance hands‑on experimental work with digital and analytical responsibilities.

Average candidate

An average candidate may have laboratory experience but require some guidance in designing and executing formulation experiments, interpreting data, and applying experimental findings to formulation and process decisions. They may have some exposure to oral solid dosage form development and characterization techniques, but limited hands‑on experience with these areas and with solubility‑enabling formulation approaches.

• How will you determine the placement was successful in the first 30/60/90 days?

First 30 days

Success in the first 30 days would mean the external worker has completed onboarding, safety and compliance training, gained familiarity with relevant SOPs, GMP expectations, documentation practices, and lab operations. They should begin building relationships with the Oral and Enabling Delivery Systems group and key cross‑functional stakeholders. They should also demonstrate understanding of current project priorities, laboratory workflows, and expected documentation standards.

First 60 days

By 60 days, the worker should be contributing productively to formulation and process development experiments with appropriate guidance. They should be generating, collecting, analyzing, and documenting experimental data accurately according to guidelines. They should also begin providing useful data summaries or visualizations, participating in team discussions, and demonstrating familiarity with oral solid dosage form unit operations relevant to the team’s work.

First 90 days

By 90 days, the worker should be operating with increasing independence in planning, executing, documenting, and communicating formulation development work. They should be able to present clear experimental findings to the team, connect data to formulation or process decisions, and maintain high standards of documentation, compliance, and lab readiness.