Research Associate I

Precision Point; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Point is seeking a Research Associate I & II to join our Pharmaceutical Development team in the San Francisco Bay Area. You will turn promising drug candidates into lab-ready formulations and collaborate with discovery, analytical, and CMC teams to move molecules toward IND enabling studies.

This is a hands-on, bench role offering ownership and visibility as you advance your formulation career within a dynamic biotech environment.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in chemistry or related field with 2–5 years industry experience, or MS with 0–2 years.
• Solid grounding in core chemistry principles.
• Strong HPLC/UPLC experience, including sample preparation and data analysis.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 and meticulous documentation.
• Experience handling potent or hazardous compounds.

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and characterize preclinical formulations for toxicology and pharmacology studies.
• Plan and execute solubility and stability studies using HPLC/UPLC; interpret data.
• Support preformulation activities and chem characterization of drug substances.
• Contribute to development of oral solid dosage forms (tablets/capsules).
• Assist with method development and troubleshooting for analytical assays.
• Maintain accurate documentation in lab notebooks or ELN; write technical summaries.
• Present results at internal meetings and contribute to publications.
• Handle potent compounds safely and uphold lab safety practices.

Skills

HPLC/UPLC

Formulation development

Lab documentation

Potent compound handling

Microsoft 365

Education

BS in Chemistry

MS degree

Tools

Empower

Chromeleon

Job description

Research Associate I & II, Pharmaceutical Development

Clinical Stage Biotech | San Francisco Bay Area (Onsite)

About the Company

Our client is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing small molecule medicines for cancer and immune disorders. Their science focuses on controlling protein levels inside cells, giving them a powerful way to target diseases that traditional drugs struggle to reach. Backed by a proprietary discovery platform and a growing clinical pipeline, the company is building a team of scientists eager to help bring a new class of therapies to patients.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Research Associate II to join the Pharmaceutical Development team. In this role, you will take promising drug candidates and help turn them into formulations that perform in the lab, in preclinical studies, and ultimately in the clinic. You will work across multiple programs, partnering closely with discovery, analytical, and CMC colleagues to move molecules from early research toward IND enabling studies. This is a hands on bench role with real ownership and visibility, ideal for a scientist ready to take the next step in their formulation career.

What You Will Do

• Design, prepare, and characterize preclinical formulations (solutions, suspensions, and enabling formulations) to support toxicology and pharmacology studies across multiple programs
• Independently plan and execute solubility and stability studies using HPLC and UPLC, and interpret the resulting data
• Support preformulation activities, including physicochemical characterization of new drug substances
• Contribute to the development of oral solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules
• Assist with method development and troubleshooting for analytical assays
• Maintain accurate, thorough documentation in lab notebooks or ELN, and author clear technical summaries
• Present results at internal team meetings and contribute to external presentations and publications
• Handle potent compounds safely and uphold strong laboratory safety practices

What You Bring

• BS or BA in chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, or a related field with 2 to 5 years of relevant industry experience, or an MS with 0 to 2 years
• Solid grounding in core chemistry principles
• Strong, independent HPLC and UPLC experience, including sample preparation, instrument operation, and data analysis (Empower or Chromeleon preferred)
• Precise quantitative lab skills: analytical weighing, pipetting, and volumetric technique
• Hands on experience safely handling potent or hazardous compounds
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and documentation habits
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to manage priorities across several programs

Bonus Points

• Prior formulation development experience, especially with small molecules
• Familiarity with enabling technologies such as amorphous solid dispersions, spray drying, or lipid based formulations
• Exposure to solid state characterization tools (XRPD, DSC, TGA, microscopy)
• Experience supporting IND enabling or early clinical programs
• Background working in a biotech, pharma, or CDMO environment