Senior Scientist

Planet Pharma; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company is seeking a Sr. Scientist specializing in formulation development to establish a state-of-the-art laboratory in San Mateo, California. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. and 3-10 years of experience in process development, particularly with lipid formulations. This position also involves mentoring staff, ensuring compliance with rigorous regulatory standards, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals. This role offers a competitive salary and full-time employment.

Qualifications

• 3-10 years of process development experience.
• Experience in lipid formulations or related drug delivery technologies is a plus.
• Experience in technical writing and authoring CMC dossiers is required.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a formulation development laboratory.
• Mentor and manage direct reports to enhance team performance.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for product development.

Skills

Proficiency in formulation design

Leadership and management skills

Problem-solving abilities

Excellent communication skills

Data-driven decision making

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Engineering, Biochemistry or related field

Job description

This range is provided by Planet Pharma. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$175,000.00/yr - $185,000.00/yr

Senior National Recruiter @ Planet Pharma | Talent Acquisition & Recruitment Specialist

Sr. Scientist, Formulation Development

What is the role?

The person in this role is responsible for establishing and maintaining a state‑of‑the‑art formulation development laboratory, working in close collaboration with the analytical development laboratory manager, to support our efforts in developing commercially viable lipid‑peptide and lipid‑protein multilaminar vesicle formulations (MLVs).

This role is crucial for advancing our CMC program for the Gates project, as well as establishing formulation capabilities and in‑house expertise in our expanding portfolio, ensuring products meet rigorous quality and regulatory standards.

The person will be both hands‑on in the lab with deep technical knowledge, as well as mentor and manage direct reports, and will collaborate effectively with our external GMP testing and manufacturing partners.

What are the key responsibilities?

• Lab design, establishment and operations: Establish state‑of‑the‑art process development laboratory that develops lipid‑peptide and lipid‑protein MLV formulations. Ensure efficient and safe lab operations.
• Mentorship and managing direct reports: Hire and mentor staff and manage direct reports.
• Formulation development: Provide guidance and hands‑on support for the design and optimization of lipid‑peptide and lipid‑protein MLV formulations.
• CDMO/CMO collaboration: Ensure effective communication and coordination with our GMP partners to meet project timelines and quality expectations.
• Regulatory compliance: Prepare and review documentation describing development efforts for regulatory submissions (INDs, BLAs, NDAs). Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Cross‑functional collaboration: Work closely with R&D, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing teams to integrate formulation science efforts within overall project goals.
• Troubleshooting & problem solving: Address and resolve complex process issues during development and manufacturing.
• Continuous improvement: Stay updated on advancements in process engineering equipment, techniques and industry trends.

What education and experience are required?

• A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Engineering, Biochemistry or related field.
• 3‑10 years of process development experience.
• Experience in lipid formulations, liposomes, or related drug delivery technologies, including homogenization and lyophilization, is a plus.
• Senior scientist will be expected to pick up the following responsibilities: Good understanding of formulation / process (homogenization/microfluidization, TFF, lyophilization), hands‑on operation/SME or owner of equipment/process, designing experiments.
• Experience in technical writing is required.
• Authoring CMC dossiers for FDA, EMA, and other regulatory agencies is a plus.
• Knowledge and experience in drug‑device development, inhalation drug delivery is a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

What key skills will make you great at the role?

• Technical expertise: Proficiency in formulation design and equipment required for lipid‑peptide / lipid‑protein formulations. Experience with drug‑device combination products is a plus. Deep understanding of laboratory procedures, equipment, software, and data analysis.
• Data‑driven decisions: Use lab data to make informed decisions about operations, budget, and performance.
• Leadership, management and communication skills: Motivate, inspire, and lead technical staff. Clearly and effectively communicate with team members, other departments, and upper management.
• Problem‑solving and strategic thinking: Quickly and effectively address challenges, from equipment malfunctions to staffing issues. Develop clear strategies and plans to achieve the lab's objectives.
• Collaboration and adaptability: Foster a collaborative environment where teams can work together seamlessly. Work well under pressure and adapt to changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Compliance and safety: Ensure a safe and compliant work environment.
• Training, procedures, quality: Schedule training for staff to ensure they are up‑to‑date on procedures and best practices. Ensure the lab meets all relevant quality standards and documentation requirements.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Science

Industries

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Biotechnology Research, and Medical Equipment Manufacturing