Senior Scientist, Analytical Sciences

Varda Space; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Job summary

Varda Space is seeking a Senior Scientist, Analytical Sciences, to lead analytical efforts for biologics and small molecule drug substances. You will design and validate LC-MS methods and other biophysical assays, shaping our in-space product development and regulatory filings.

The role requires advanced degrees and extensive hands-on experience, with collaboration across product development, formulation sciences, and engineering.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering or Materials Science.
• 3+ years with PhD or 6+ years with MS in relevant field.
• Track record of developing methods for regulated filings and workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize and validate analytical methods for biologics and small molecule drugs using LC-MS and biophysical analytical techniques.
• Plan project resources and timelines to maintain product development and flight schedules.
• Carry out hands-on experiments and work with external testing sites to fully characterize drug substances and products.
• Train junior scientists and ensure high quality analytical data is produced.

Skills

Analytical method development

LC-MS

Biologics characterization

Small molecule APIs

Regulatory filings

Education

M.S./Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science

Tools

LC-MS

UV

NMR

DSF

CD

FTIR

Raman

HPLC/UPLC

SEC-MALS

Job description

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About this Role

Our pharmaceutical R&D team is looking for highly motivated and creative Senior Scientist, Analytical Sciences who will lead efforts in improving therapeutics with microgravity. This is an opportunity in an exciting area of growth for Varda, the role will shape Varda’s product culture and will play a significant role in establishing the low earth orbit economy.

Responsibilities

• Develop,optimizeandvalidateanalytical methods for characterizingbiologicand small moleculedrug substances and drug productsusingLC-MS and other biophysical analytical techniques
• Participate in project planning, resource mapping, and timeline scheduling to ensure product development and flight schedules are maintained.
• Carry out hands-on experiments andworkwith external testing sitesto fully characterize drug substances and drug products
• Train junior scientists on techniques and ensure high qualityanalyticaldataisproducedby Varda
• Collaborate closely with product development,formulation sciences, and broader engineering groupsto drive drug development activities
• Author relevantdocuments such as methods, protocols, validation reports, and regulatory filingsas needed

Basic Qualifications

• M.S., orPh. D.degreein Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering,MaterialsScienceor related fields
• 3+years of experience with Ph.D.,6+years of experience with M.S.
• Track recordof developingmethods for use in regulated filings and workflows

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Ph. Din Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical, orBiotechnologydegree,with4+ years ofpharmaceuticalindustry experiencedeveloping characterization methods for biologicsand small moleculeAPIs.
• Extensive experiencein developing,optimizing, and troubleshooting intact, subunit, and peptide mapLC-MSanalysis of complex biologics
• Experience with UV,DLS, DSF,NMR,CD,FTIR, Raman,andparticle sizing technologies
• Experience withchromatographic and affinity-based methods(HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS/MS, SEC-MALS, GC-MS,CE-SDS,icIEF,SDS-PAGE)
• Track recordof method development asdemonstratedby publications in peer-reviewed journals, IND/BLA/NDA filings,and presentations at scientific conferences
• Experience as the responsible engineer or technical owner of projectsacross project lifecycle

Pay Range

• Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year
• This role ison-sitein El Segundo, CA
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about theE-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.