Sr. R&D Scientist

Catalent; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Paid Time Off

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Engagement activities

Diversity & Inclusion groups

Career path and performance reviews

WellHub program

Perkspot discounts

Job summary

Catalent is seeking a Senior R&D Scientist in Manassas, VA to provide technical direction across the product development lifecycle, focusing on pre-formulation, process optimization, and stability studies. You will define development studies, author protocols, and interpret results for formulation development, supporting multiple projects with a patient/consumer-first approach.

The role requires leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and hands-on bench work within GMP/GLP environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or related field is required.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in a formulation role in a lab setting.
• Experience with soft confectionery formats, especially chew and/or lozenge, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and guide development and evaluation of new products, including pre-formulation studies and formulation development.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring across the organization as needed.
• Ensure technical review and oversight for portfolio projects and programs.
• Operate in GMP/GLP environments and maintain compliance with training and safety requirements.
• Lead discussions at internal and external meetings and drive project portfolio commitments.

Skills

Formulation expertise

Leadership

Time management

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Site

The :70,000‑square‑foot Manassas facility operates within Catalent’s Consumer Health portfolio, supporting programs from early development through commercial manufacturing and packaging. It is designed for dietary supplement and food‑safety cGMP operations, making it distinct from Catalent’s traditional pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturing sites.

Position Summary

We have an opportunity for a Senior R&D Scientist to join our team and provide technical direction and expertise throughout the entire product development process. This role focuses on pre-formulation studies, process optimization, and stability studies. You will define development studies, author and approve protocols and reports, and interpret analytical results for formulation development. You will also provide technical expertise and support on multiple projects while maintaining a Patient/Consumer First culture.

Shift: Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm

Location: Manassas, VA

100% Onsite

The Role

• Plan, coordinate, and guide the development and evaluation of new products, including pre-formulation excipient selection, compatibility studies, formulation development, process optimization, and scale-up manufacturing
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to individuals, functional areas, and the organization as required
• Ensure appropriate technical review and oversight for portfolio projects and programs
• Communicate effectively and on time with management, other departments, and customers regarding development activities, results, and next steps
• Operate under and maintain Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) conditions and practices
• Maintain and improve compliance with training, best practices, safety, and cleaning requirements
• Represent functional area and projects by leading discussions at local, technical, governance, executive, and customer meetings
• Lead Catalent’s strategies, initiatives, expectations, processes, and portfolio commitments
• Work extended hours and weekends as needed, especially when problems occur or deadlines must be met
• Perform other duties as required

The Candidate

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science or related field
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in a formulation role in a lab setting
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience with soft confectionery formats, particularly chew and/or lozenge formats
• Experience working in a dietary supplement, confection, and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing and/or GMP facility
• Expertise in soft chew and lozenge technologies for dietary supplement development
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Experience in troubleshooting and problem solving
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with people at all levels and in various functional areas; ability to influence and motivate others to achieve results
• While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel and to manipulate keys on a keyboard. Use of manual dexterity is required. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, bend or twist, and to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Preferred Skills & Background

• Master’s degree preferred

Why You Should Join Catalent

• Positive and fast-paced working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative and dynamic
• Competitive Paid Time Off plus 8 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits effective day one of employment
• Tuition Reimbursement – support to finish your degree or earn a new one
• Site-based Employee Engagement activities such as potlucks, cookouts, and monthly birthday recognitions
• Employee Resource Groups focusing on Diversity and Inclusion
• Environmentally friendly, community engagement green initiatives
• Defined career path and annual performance review process with potential for career growth
• WellHub program to promote overall physical and mental wellness
• Perkspot – exclusive discounts from over 900 merchants in various categories

personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.

Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to [e-mail]. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers: Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond— it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to [e-mail] for us to investigate with local authorities.

California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.