Space Pharma Crystallization Manager

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Stock options

Parental leave

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking a highly motivated Manager to lead the Crystallization Screening Team, advancing microgravity crystallization for therapeutics and supporting automation to speed development timelines. You will shape the biopharma culture and collaborate across R&D to connect research with company goals.

You will drive collaborations, coordinate budgets, and deliver results while mentoring junior researchers and communicating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related fields and 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Hands‑on experience with polymorph screening of small molecules or crystallization of biologics.
• Strong foundation in materials science, organic chemistry, protein chemistry and/or physical biochemistry principles.
• Demonstrated ability to set technical direction and deliver results.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism, Python, or R).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Alongside breadth, demonstrated depth of technical expertise and scientific leadership in at least one modality and aspect of drug substance development.
• Experience managing external partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee crystallization screening and characterization of molecules for microgravity opportunities across a diverse range of modalities including small molecules and biologics.
• Support the team in advancing the field of microgravity crystallization, while adopting best practices in drug substance development, including adoption of automation technologies to accelerate development timelines.
• Support and advance collaborations with external partners, CROs, and vendors.
• Ensure alignment of research and development activities, budgets, and timelines to company goals and initiatives, together with project organization and tracking to ensure projects deliverables meet timeline expectations.
• Effectively manage interfaces across the pharmaceutical development groups.

Skills

PhD in Chemistry

4+ years relevant experience

Polymorph screening

Crystallization of biologics

Data analysis (Excel, Python, R)

Independent work

Technical leadership

Excellent communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry

MS in related fields

Tools

Excel

GraphPad Prism

Python

R

Job description

Varda Space Industries is seeking a highly motivated Manager to lead the Crystallization Screening Team, advancing microgravity crystallization for therapeutics and supporting automation to speed development timelines. You will shape the biopharma culture and collaborate across R&D to connect research with company goals.

You will drive collaborations, coordinate budgets, and deliver results while mentoring junior researchers and communicating with cross-functional teams.