Senior Principal Scientist, Peptide Chemistry / API Development

Neurocrine Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity incentive

Comprehensive benefits

Fortune Best Workplace

Job summary

Neurocrine Biosciences is seeking a senior leader to head peptide chemistry and peptide API development from early development through commercialization. You will define scientific strategy, oversee cross-functional teams, and translate regulatory expectations into practical development plans across the peptide portfolio.

The role requires deep expertise in peptide synthesis (SPPS/LPPS), process development, scale-up, and manufacturing readiness, with strong leadership and collaboration across

Qualifications

• BS/BA in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, chemical engineering, or similar field with 10+ years of relevant experience; or MS/MA with 8+ years; or PhD with 6+ years.
• Substantial hands-on and/or technical leadership in peptide synthesis, process development, scale-up, tech transfer, or GMP peptide manufacturing.
• Industry experience in peptide API process development and/or manufacturing is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced peptide and organic chemistry to cross-asset API development challenges.
• Lead teams across multiple development programs in peptide chemistry and process development.
• Define strategy, governance, and technical decision standards for peptide API development.
• Develop and optimize peptide manufacturing: SPPS/LPPS, cleavage, purification, and isolation.
• Drive scale-up, tech transfer, and manufacturing readiness from lab to commercial scale.
• Identify CQAs, CMAs, CPPs, and in-process controls; design robust control strategies.
• Oversee GMP manufacturing and external site activities; ensure safety and efficiency.

Skills

Peptide synthesis

SPPS

LPPS

Process development

Technical leadership

GMP knowledge

cGMP understanding

Regulatory knowledge

Cross-functional work

Mentoring

Education

BS/BA in chemistry/biochemistry/biology/chemical engineering

MS/MA in chemistry/biochemistry/biology/chemical engineering

PhD in chemistry/peptide chemistry/biochemistry/chemical engineering

Tools

Bioconjugation knowledge

Fragment condensation

Job description

Who We Are: Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid‑to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie)

About the Role

Lead the peptide chemistry and peptide API development function or major program area, defining scientific strategy and development standards for peptide drug substances from early development through commercialization. This role combines deep expertise in peptide synthesis and process chemistry with strategic CMC leadership to establish robust, scalable, and commercially viable manufacturing approaches. The successful candidate will guide cross-functional and external teams, resolve complex technical challenges, and translate evolving scientific and regulatory expectations into clear development strategies across the peptide portfolio.

Your Contributions (include, but are not limited to)

• Apply highly advanced scientific principles in peptide and organic chemistry to complex, cross‑asset API development challenges
• Lead teams in applying advanced peptide chemistry and process‑development principles across multiple development programs.
• Define scientific strategy, governance frameworks, and technical decision standards for peptide API development
• Lead development and optimization of peptide manufacturing processes, including solid‑phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), liquid‑phase peptide synthesis (LPPS), hybrid/fragment approaches, cleavage and deprotection, purification, and drug‑substance isolation
• Drive scale‑up, process transfer, and manufacturing readiness from laboratory scale through clinical, registration, PPQ, and commercial manufacturing
• Guide development of robust control strategies by identifying critical quality attributes (CQAs), critical material attributes (CMAs), critical process parameters (CPPs), proven acceptable ranges, and appropriate in‑process controls
• Lead technical risk assessments, process characterization, robustness studies, and investigations for complex peptide manufacturing processes
• Oversee laboratory activities and resource allocation while ensuring high scientific standards, safe operations, and efficient execution
• Lead resolution of high‑impact technical challenges related to coupling, aggregation, deletion sequences, epimerization, oxidation, cleavage, purification, precipitation, lyophilization, and product stability
• Drive innovation in peptide manufacturing technologies to improve product quality, process robustness, sustainability, cycle time, and cost of goods
• Develop and manage strategic CDMO and contractor partnerships, including technical evaluation, vendor selection, technology transfer, person‑in‑plant support, and manufacturing oversight
• Provide technical leadership for CMC regulatory documentation and readiness, including development reports, process descriptions, control strategies, regulatory starting‑material justification, and responses to health‑authority questions
• Partner effectively with Analytical Development, Formulation, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Project Management, Discovery, and other cross‑functional teams
• Provide leadership, coaching, and scientific mentoring to peptide chemists and technical leads; build capability and scientific excellence within the function
• Influence cross‑departmental, portfolio‑level, and external decisions through clear scientific rationale and strategic communication
• Strengthen internal and external scientific networks and representing the organization in technical discussions with CDMOs, consultants, and external experts
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

• BS/BA in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, chemical engineering, or similar scientific discipline and 10+ years of relevant experience; OR MS/MA in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, chemical engineering, or similar scientific discipline and 8+ years of relevant experience; OR PhD in chemistry, organic chemistry, peptide chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or similar scientific discipline (or equivalent) and 6+ years of relevant experience
• Relevant experience should include substantial hands‑on and/or technical leadership experience in peptide synthesis, peptide process development, scale‑up, technology transfer, or GMP peptide manufacturing
• Industry experience in peptide API process development and/or manufacturing is strongly preferred for this role
• Deep expertise in peptide synthesis, including SPPS and/or LPPS; experience with fragment condensation, hybrid approaches, Tag assist peptide synthesis or complex modified peptides is highly desirable
• Expertise in peptide cleavage/deprotection, purification by preparative chromatography, and product isolation by precipitation and/or lyophilization
• Strong understanding of peptide‑related impurities and degradation pathways, including deletion sequences, epimerization, oxidation, deamidation, aggregation, and sequence‑dependent challenges
• Proven experience in process development, scale‑up, technology transfer, and manufacturing of peptide drug substances
• Demonstrated knowledge of process characterization, validation, control strategy development, and lifecycle management
• Advanced understanding of cGMP, ICH expectations, CMC regulatory requirements, and regulatory starting‑material strategy as applied to peptide APIs
• Experience overseeing GMP manufacturing and person‑in‑plant activities at external manufacturing sites
• Experience with bioconjugation, lipidation, PEGylation, or other peptide modification technologies is a plus
• Ability to lead cross‑functional development programs and make sound technical decisions under aggressive timelines
• Significant contributor to functional scientific strategy and portfolio‑level peptide development decisions
• Substantial scientific mastery in peptide chemistry, process chemistry, and pharmaceutical development
• Translates regulatory, manufacturing, and business objectives into practical scientific direction
• Applies multidisciplinary expertise to complex technical and development challenges
• Leads and integrates teams across programs and organizational boundaries
• Mentoring scientific talent across levels and builds strong technical capabilities
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, and scientific communication skills
• Implements long‑term functional strategy while managing high‑stakes initiatives and competing priorities
• Influences internal and external stakeholders and demonstrates organizational‑level thinking

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer. We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements.

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $173,600.00-$237,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 30% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program.

Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

We are a top place to work. Neurocrine Biosciences was named one of the FORTUNE Best Workplaces in Biopharma™ 2025. We were also named a Great Place to Work® Certified company.

OUR VALUES: PASSION: We are driven and love what we do. We are committed to our goals and to making a difference. INTEGRITY: We do the right thing for patient and our community. We take accountability. We speak up. COLLABORATION: We trust one another. We are inclusive. We are respectful. We are transparent. Together we succeed. INNOVATION: We seek and create optimal solutions. TENACITY: We do not quit. We adapt. We accomplish what others cannot. Come join our team during this exciting time of growth and opportunities!

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