Senior Scientist, R&D, Primary Drug Packaging

West Pharmaceutical Services; Wayne (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global opportunities

Inclusive culture

Performance bonuses

Recognition program

Job summary

West Pharmaceutical Services is seeking a Senior Scientist, Primary Drug Packaging, to lead development, evaluation, and lifecycle management of primary packaging for biologics, vaccines, and high-value injectables.

You will bring deep expertise in container closure systems, material selection, compatibility testing, and regulatory support to ensure packaging meets product, process, quality, and patient needs.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Packaging Science or related field with 4+ years of experience; OR
• Master’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience

Responsibilities

• Lead the evaluation and selection of primary drug packaging components (stoppers, seals, syringes, cartridges, vials).
• Design and interpret studies on packaging functionality, compatibility, integrity, extractables/leachables, and stability.
• Provide SME on container closure systems for injectable products including biologics and ATMPs.
• Support container closure integrity, sealing performance, and system robustness studies.
• Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders to define packaging requirements based on product characteristics and regulatory expectations.
• Author and review technical reports, protocols, risk assessments, and study summaries.

Skills

Pharmaceutical packaging

Container closure systems

Analytical testing

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Master’s degree in related field

Job description

Description

his is an onsite position requiring the team member to be onsite 4 days a week

No relocation is avialable for this opportunity.

Who We Are

At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?

What We Offer

Global Career Opportunities: With facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, employees have opportunities for international exposure and cross-functional collaboration.

Inclusive & Collaborative Culture: A global workforce that values diversity, equity, and inclusion—where all voices are heard and respected in a supportive environment.

Recognition & Rewards: Performance-based bonuses, service recognition, and employee appreciation initiatives celebrate dedication and impact.

Job Summary

The Senior Scientist, Primary Drug Packaging, will be responsible for leading technical activities related to the development, evaluation, selection, and lifecycle management of primary packaging systems for pharmaceutical and drug products including biologics, vaccines, cell and gene therapies, mRNA/LNP-based products, high-value injectables, and other complex drug products. This role provides scientific and technical expertise in container closure systems, material selection, compatibility, performance testing, and regulatory support to ensure packaging solutions meet product, process, quality, and patient requirements.

The person will work cross-functionally with R&D, Analytical Services, Quality, Regulatory, Technical Customer Support, Product Development, and Commercial teams to generate scientifically sound data that supports product development, customer programs, technical investigations, and lifecycle management. The role requires a strong foundation in laboratory science, analytical testing, data interpretation, and good documentation practices.

This position is intended for an early-career professional who can independently execute defined technical workstreams, contribute to experimental design, analyze results, and communicate findings with appropriate supervision.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the technical evaluation and selection of primary drug packaging components, including stoppers, seals, syringes, cartridges, vials, and related elastomeric or polymer-based systems.
• Design, execute, and interpret scientific studies related to packaging functionality, compatibility, integrity, extractables/leachables considerations, product-contact performance, and stability.
• Provide subject matter expertise on container closure systems for injectable drug products, including biologics and ATMPs.
• Execute and support studies evaluating container closure integrity, sealing performance, and system robustness for injectable packaging configurations.
• Identify gaps and initiate programs for novel containment and delivery solutions for emerging drug modalities from early-stage feasibility through commercialization and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to define packaging requirements based on product characteristics, processing conditions, regulatory expectations, and customer needs.
• Author and review technical reports, protocols, risk assessments, study summaries, and scientific publications.
• Evaluate material and component changes for technical impact, product suitability, and compliance risk.
• Drive continuous improvement in test methods, technical standards, scientific processes, and packaging selection strategies.
• Mentor junior scientists and provide technical guidance across project teams.
• Participate in customer-facing technical discussions and represent the organization as a packaging science expert when needed.
• Maintain awareness of relevant pharmacopeial, industry, and regulatory expectations related to primary packaging and container closure systems.

Education

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Packaging Science, or related scientific discipline with 4+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree in a related field with 7+ years of relevant experience

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience, can include time spent either in industry or graduate school
• Demonstrated experience in pharmaceutical primary packaging, parenteral packaging, container closure systems, or drug packaging development.
• Strong scientific knowledge of packaging materials, especially elastomers, polymers, glass, coatings, and component-product interactions.
• Experience designing and interpreting laboratory studies and technical evaluations.
• Strong technical writing, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Hands on experience with drug product characterization and material compatibility studies.
• Knowledge of container closure integrity, extractables and leachables, particulate control, sterilization compatibility, and packaging functionality testing.
• Familiarity with relevant regulatory and industry standards, such as USP, EP, FDA, EMA, ICH, and ISO expectations related to primary packaging.
• Experience in customer-facing technical roles or external collaboration.
• Knowledge of quality systems, change control, risk management, and deviation/investigation processes.
• Experience mentoring junior team members or leading technical workstreams.

Travel Requirements

5%: Up to 13 business days per year

Physical Requirements

Light-Exerting up to 20lbs/9kg of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force frequently constantly to move objects.

Additional Requirements

• Light work – exerting negligible amount of force frequently to move objects.
• Job-related activities require a mental skill or ability such as quick decision making, interpreting data, reading, writing and presentation of findings

West is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you have a special need that requires accommodation in order to apply to West, please send an email to [e-mail] . Where permitted by law, an offer of employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of background screening.