Senior Research Associate

Sr. Research Associate

6-12 month contract-San Diego

As a member of Formulation Development team, this role will support to develop preformulations of small molecule chemical entities to support PK, pharmacology, and toxicology studies. The preformulation function is part of the global Formulation Development organization, a critical R&D function enabling the manufacturing of dosage forms along the complete development timeline from molecule selection to commercial. The primary responsibility for this position is to enable candidate selection within a promising pipeline of small molecules. The candidate will be responsible for exploring the formulation space for supporting a variety of preclinical studies to advance molecules to the clinic. The candidate is expected to help lay the foundations for future clinical development by successfully executing developability assessments and robust experimental physicochemical characterization of molecules and prediction of in-vivo bioperformance using modeling tools. The candidate will collaborate extensively with colleagues in discovery biology, chemistry, DMPK, and CMC functions. The ideal candidate has mastered the fundamentals of chemistry and physics and has direct experience in a research laboratory The candidate must comfortably take the initiative, be curious, and show resilience in solving complex problems.

Key Responsibilities:

Development of various formulations including oral, and intravenous of small molecule drug candidates to support early PK and pharmacology studies.

• Help design, plan, execute, and interpret laboratory experiments to meet established project timelines for molecule selection and advancement
• Conducting preliminary physicochemical properties (e.g., solubility, and stability in bio-relevant media) screens of small molecules of drug candidates
• Conduct preformulation evaluation (solubility, stability in bio-relevant media, permeability, physicochemical properties, form evaluations, etc.) of candidate molecules
• Physicochemical analysis of candidate molecules
• Assist preliminary solid form screening and salt screen for preclinical candidates
• Maintain laboratory equipment, keep instruments in good condition, and maintain stocks to prepare the preformulation
• Maintain accurate and complete laboratory notebook capturing protocols, results, and observations in real time
• Comply with all relevant ethical, safety, and training procedure

The successful candidate will possess:

• Sound knowledge of pharmaceutical principles in the preformulation development with a range of dosage forms, including solution, suspension and IV formulations to support PK, pharmacology, and toxicology studies
• Hands-on experience in analytical techniques such as HPLC methods, PXRD, TGA, DSC, and particle size analyses to enable evaluation of early-stage discovery compounds
• Hans on experience in cell culture and in vitro permeability assay using Caco-2 cells is optional
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Successful and efficient multitasking and working as part of a multidisciplinary team that works within defined timelines

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical science, or relevant field with 2 years of experience
• Master’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, or related field with 1 year experience in pharmaceutical field