Senior Scientist I, Analytical Development

Socket.dev; Verona (WI); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking a Senior Scientist I in Analytical Development to lead method development and validation for drug substances and products.

The role requires independent work and collaboration with project teams, mentoring junior scientists, and ensuring compliance with cGMP and regulatory standards. You will design and optimize analytical methods (HPLC, LC-MS, GC, KF, FTIR, UV/Vis), evaluate data, and prepare technical documentation.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field with relevant pharmaceutical development experience.
• Proven experience in analytical method development, optimization, and validation.
• Experience with drug substance and drug product development workflows.
• Proficiency with HPLC, LC-MS, GC, FTIR, UV/Vis, KF and related tech.
• Strong data analysis, troubleshooting, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Knowledge of cGMP, ICH, and FDA/CDER guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytical development activities for drug substances and products.
• Design, develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods.
• Coordinate testing, timelines, and deliverables with project teams.
• Prepare protocols, reports, SOPs, and regulatory documentation.
• Mentor junior scientists and provide technical guidance.
• Communicate results and risks to management.

Skills

Analytical method development

Method validation

Data interpretation

HPLC

LC-MS

GC

Cross-functional leadership

Mentorship

FDA/ICH knowledge

Education

PhD in Chemistry

MS in Chemistry

BS in Chemistry

Tools

HPLC systems

LC-MS instrumentation

KF (Karl Fischer)

Job description

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing. Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of a one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates. Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.

The Position This position is within the Analytical Development (AD) group in the CMC Manufacturing organization. The Senior Scientist I, Analytical Development will provide scientific and technical leadership for analytical activities supporting drug substance and drug product development. This role will lead method development and validation activities and support analytical testing for process development, impurity characterization, GLP toxicology studies, and cGMP clinical trial materials. The Senior Scientist I will work independently and collaboratively across project teams, serve as an analytical lead for assigned programs, and provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced scientists. This position reports to Analytical Development management.

Responsibilities

• Work independently and collaboratively with project teams to deliver accurate, high-quality analytical results in support of new and ongoing development programs.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to junior scientists.
• Serve as Analytical Project Coordinator or Lead for assigned programs, taking ownership of analytical activities, including planning, prioritizing, and coordinating testing to meet project timelines and deliverables.
• Independently design, develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods supporting all stages of drug substance/API and drug product development.
• Develop specifications and test methods for raw materials, in-process materials, intermediates, drug substances, and drug products.
• Lead analytical activities supporting process development, impurity characterization, GLP toxicology studies, and cGMP clinical trial materials.
• Analyze and interpret complex analytical data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and recommend appropriate follow-up activities.
• Prepare and review technical documentation, including analytical test methods, development and validation protocols and reports, SOPs, and presentations.
• Communicate project status, analytical results, risks, and recommendations to project teams and management.
• Ensure analytical activities are conducted in accordance with applicable SOPs, cGMP requirements, regulatory guidelines, and industry standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of analytical methods, laboratory practices, and departmental processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience; M.S. with 10+ years of relevant experience; or B.S. with 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in analytical method development, optimization, qualification, and validation supporting pharmaceutical drug substance and drug product development.
• Experience developing analytical methods and specifications for raw materials, intermediates, drug substances, and drug products.
• Demonstrated experience with analytical instrumentation and pharmaceutical development processes.
• Experience independently analyzing complex data, troubleshooting analytical challenges, and recommending appropriate solutions.
• Experience leading analytical activities or serving as an analytical representative on cross-functional project teams.
• Proficiency with analytical techniques and instrumentation such as HPLC, GC, FTIR, UV/Vis, LC/MS, Karl Fischer (KF), and related technologies.
• Strong knowledge of analytical instrumentation principles, test methodologies, and method validation.
• Strong understanding of CMC regulatory requirements and applicable cGMP, ICH, and FDA/CDER guidelines.
• Knowledge of the principles of synthetic organic chemistry.
• Strong scientific judgment, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and project timelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and integrity.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within cross-functional teams.

Preferred

• Experience providing technical guidance, training, or mentorship to junior scientists.
• Experience serving as an analytical project lead or coordinator for pharmaceutical development programs.
• Experience supporting analytical activities across multiple stages of drug development.
• Demonstrated ability to influence scientific direction and effectively communicate technical recommendations across functions.

Wisconsin pay range $115,000 — $135,000 USD Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.

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