Scientist - Biologics

Scorpion Therapeutics; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 102,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics in Princeton, NJ, is seeking a highly qualified candidate to conduct biophysical characterization, preformulation studies, and developability assessments to advance protein-based candidates.

The role combines experimental and AI-driven input to enable lead optimization, formulation design for PK and exploratory toxicology, and collaboration across Discovery Pharmaceutics & Analytical Sciences to push successful development.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS in pharmaceutics, biochemistry, chemistry, or related.
• Knowledge of protein chemistry and biopharmaceutical properties.
• Experience with protein chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• Strong preformulation data interpretation.
• Desirable: understanding of drug delivery technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication; teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Conduct biophysical characterization and preformulation studies to define developability and liability profiles.
• Provide experimental, computational, and AI-enabled input to protein discovery scientists for lead optimization.
• Design and guide development of formulations for pharmacology, PK, and exploratory toxicology.
• Enable drug discovery via AI-enabled delivery technologies and data-driven approaches to improve biologics delivery.
• Shape Discovery Pharmaceutics & Analytical Sciences strategy and support transfer to development.
• Advance candidate optimization by understanding how biophysical properties affect biopharmaceutical performance.

Skills

Biopharmaceutical principles

Protein chemistry

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD/MS/BS in related field

Tools

UPLC/HPLC

Mass spectrometry

Glycosylation analysis

AI tools

Job description

Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct and interpret biophysical characterization and preformulation studies to define developability/liability profiles and support candidate assessment.
• Provide experimental, computational, and AI-enabled input to protein discovery scientists using predictive models, data mining, and informatics tools for lead optimization and candidate selection.
• Design and guide development of formulations for drug discovery pharmacology, PK, and initial exploratory toxicology studies.
• Enable drug discovery via innovative drug delivery technologies/devices and data-driven/AI-enabled approaches to improve biologics delivery.
• Shape Discovery Pharmaceutics & Analytical Sciences strategy as a problem-solving partner and support transfer to development.
• Advance candidate optimization by developing expertise on how biophysical properties impact biopharmaceutical performance of proteins/antibodies/large molecule modalities.

Job Requirements/Education:

• PhD (0–2 yrs) or MS (3+ yrs) or BS (5+ yrs) in Pharmaceutics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or related.
• Required knowledge of protein chemistry/biopharmaceutical principles; biophysical properties and analytical methods relevant to in vivo delivery/disposition.
• Experience with protein/peptide chromatography (UPLC/HPLC), protein footprinting (mass spectrometry), peptide mapping, glycosylation and PTM analysis.
• Strong preformulation knowledge and ability to guide/interprete preformulation data.
• Desired: understanding of drug delivery technologies/devices.
• Required: strong written/verbal communication and team collaboration skills.
• Desired: innovative problem-solving and ability to implement; highly desirable ability to use digital/computational/AI tools; sound AI judgment (data quality, model limits, reproducibility, documentation, confidentiality, human review).

Compensation/Benefits (if applicable):

Princeton, NJ, US: $101,800–$123,353; health/401(k)/disability/life/other listed benefits; paid time off.