Senior Analytical Scientist

WaveCrest Staffing Group; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 156,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

WaveCrest Staffing Group seeks a Senior Scientist in Analytical Development (CMC) for a 6-month contract in South San Francisco, CA. The role requires leading analytical development, method development, and data interpretation across multiple projects within a biotechnology setting.

Responsibilities include instrument-driven analyses (HPLC, LC-MS, GC, UV-Vis), data processing, report writing, and regulatory documentation. PhD or MSc with industry experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with hands-on lab experience in drug discovery.
• Experience with GLP and cGMP environments.
• Proven ability to develop and validate analytical methods.
• Strong record of publication or presentations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytical development for one or more molecules in CMC.
• Develop and optimize analytical methods.
• Execute analyses with instrument operation to ensure accurate results.
• Prepare reports and present results to management.
• Maintain lab notebooks per standards.
• Author technical reports and regulatory filings sections.

Skills

Chromatography

Spectroscopy

Dissolution testing

Particle size analysis

Microscopy

Data analysis

GLP/cGMP experience

Education

M.Sc. in Chemistry

Ph.D. in Chemistry

Tools

OpenLab

Empower

Excel

Job description

Senior Scientist, Analytical Development (CMC)

We are seeking an experienced Senior Scientist with a proven record of sustained laboratory achievement and innovation. This individual will provide analytical support across multiple projects and teams in a mission-driven oncology development setting.

6-month contract

Responsibilities

• Independently lead analytical development and product characterization for one or more molecules in CMC development.
• Develop and optimize analytical methods to support early and late-stage development, applying traditional or emerging techniques to solve challenging problems.
• Design experiments and perform sample analysis using general laboratory techniques (weighing, pipetting) and instrumentation such as HPLC, LC-MS, GC, UV-Vis, KF, DSC, TGA, and XRPD.
• Execute analyses with a solid understanding of test procedures, underlying science, and proper instrument operation to ensure accurate, reliable results.
• Use instrument control and data processing software to collect data, calculate results, and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Maintain precise, real-time laboratory notebook records in line with documentation standards, supporting traceability and consistency.
• Prepare presentation materials and communicate results to management and at internal meetings.
• Author and review technical reports, technical packages, and relevant sections of regulatory filings.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in chemistry with 8+ years of relevant research experience, or Ph.D. with a minimum of 3 years of hands-on pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience, or equivalent, in drug discovery and development.
• Hands-on experience with chromatography (HPLC, GC, LC/MS), spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FTIR), titration (Karl Fischer, acid-base), dissolution testing, particle size analysis by laser diffraction, microscopy, and other compendial methods.
• Experience with laboratory software for data collection, analysis, and reporting (e.g., OpenLab, Empower, Excel).
• Strong attention to detail and prior experience in GLP and cGMP environments.