Sr. Scientist, Drug Delivery

Glaukos Corporation; Aliso Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Glaukos Corporation in Aliso Viejo, CA, seeks a PhD-level scientist to lead design and optimization of novel sustained-release drug delivery systems. You will develop formulations using polymers, implants, and microparticles, and design studies to characterize release kinetics and stability.

This role includes leading scale-up, technology transfer, and cross-functional collaboration, with emphasis on cGMP compliance and regulatory readiness. Onsite work in Aliso Viejo, CA, is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field with 0–4+ years of relevant drug-delivery experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in sustained-release or controlled-release drug delivery.
• Experience leading formulation and process development from feasibility through scale-up.
• Knowledge of cGMP manufacturing, process validation, and technology transfer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery systems.
• Develop targeted sustained-release formulations using polymers, implants, and particles.
• Design studies to characterize drug release kinetics and product stability.
• Provide technical leadership for process scale-up and technology transfer.

Skills

Formulation development

Experimental design

Data analysis

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentorship

Project leadership

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Hot melt extrusion

Injection molding

Hydrogel processing

Polymer characterization

Job description

What You'll Do:

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery systems, including sustained-release and controlled-release dosage forms.
• Develop targeted and sustained drug delivery formulations using polymeric matrices, implants, microparticles, nanoparticles, hydrogels and other advanced delivery technologies.
• Design and execute studies to characterize drug release kinetics, formulation stability, material properties, and product performance.
• Evaluate structure-property relationships that influence drug loading, release behavior, stability, manufacturability, and product quality.
• Select and characterize excipients, polymers, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and other critical raw materials.

Process Development and Scale-Up

• Develop robust and scalable formulation and manufacturing processes to support preclinical, clinical, and commercial supply.
• Apply Quality by Design and Design of Experiments principles to identify critical material attributes, critical process parameters, and critical quality attributes.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and root-cause investigations for formulation, process, and product-performance challenges.
• Support process scale-up, technology transfer, process characterization, and validation activities with internal teams and external manufacturing partners.
• Provide technical leadership for hot melt extrusion process development and optimization when applicable.

Scientific Leadership and Innovation

• Provide scientific and technical leadership across multiple drug delivery programs, influencing platform strategy, development priorities, and key project decisions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in sustained-release technologies, formulation science, and pharmaceutical drug delivery.
• Identify technical risks, recommend mitigation strategies, and communicate development options to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and translate relevant scientific advances into practical development strategies.
• Contribute to invention disclosures, patent applications, publications, and other intellectual-property activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Regulatory Support

• Partner with CMC, Analytical Development, Nonclinical, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing to align technical plans with program objectives.
• Author and review protocols, technical reports, development summaries, presentations, and CMC sections of regulatory submissions.
• Support responses to health authority questions related to formulation, process development, characterization, and product performance.
• Manage technical interactions with consultants, contract research organizations, contract development and manufacturing organizations, and other external partners.

Mentorship and Compliance

• Mentor junior scientists and research associates and provide guidance on experimental design, data interpretation, documentation, and scientific communication.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely laboratory records and development documentation.
• Ensure activities comply with applicable quality systems, cGMP expectations, safety requirements, and internal procedures.

How You'll Get There:

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline with 0-4+ years of relevant pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or combination product development experience, including substantial experience in drug delivery and formulation development.
• PhD in related scientific discipline with 4+ years of experience preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in sustained-release or controlled-release drug delivery technologies.
• Experience leading formulation and process development from early feasibility through scale-up and technology transfer.
• Strong working knowledge of polymer science, material characterization, drug-release testing, stability assessment, and pharmaceutical development principles.
• Ability to independently design experiments, analyze complex data, draw scientifically sound conclusions, and recommend next steps.
• Excellent technical writing, presentation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Hands-on industrial experience with hot melt extrusion, injection molding, and hydrogel processing including formulation development, equipment selection, process optimization, scale-up, and troubleshooting.
• Experience developing ophthalmic drug products, long-acting delivery systems, implants, inserts, or combination products.
• Experience with polymer-based drug delivery systems and characterization of solid dispersions or extrudates.
• Knowledge of cGMP manufacturing, process validation, and technology transfer requirements.
• Experience supporting IND, IMPD, NDA, or other global regulatory submissions.
• Track record of publications, or significant scientific contributions in drug delivery.
• This role is based onsite in Aliso Viejo, CA.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Scientific rigor and sound independent judgment
• Hands-on technical leadership and accountability
• Innovation and practical problem solving
• Cross-functional partnership and influence
• Clear technical communication
• Mentorship and talent development
• Commitment to quality, compliance, and patient-focused outcomes

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