Senior Principal Scientist, Pre-Formulation and Materials Science

Role Summary

This Senior Principal Scientist position is a leadership role within the Early Formulation Science and Drug Delivery group, supporting early-stage drug design, materials science characterization and strategy, biopharmaceutics understanding, and early clinical drug delivery strategy for new small molecules. The candidate will guide molecular design, dosage form design, solid form strategy, and biopharmaceutics aspects of pre-clinical and clinical candidate development, and contribute to leadership and drug delivery strategy within the Drug Product Design and Supply department of the Pharmaceutical Sciences division.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific advances, leadership, and strategic direction for understanding molecular structure connectivity, solution and diffusion behavior, and permeation to enable optimal drug formulation and delivery systems design
• Integrate pharmaceutics, physical organic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and biopharmaceutics into drug candidate screening, formulation design, solid form strategy, and project direction
• Teach and mentor colleagues across the organization
• Cultivate relationships with internal partners and stakeholders across Medicinal Design, Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule, Clinical Pharmacology, Drug Safety, relevant Research Units, and Pharmacokinetics/Dynamics/Metabolism
• Advance scientific research and capabilities in molecular design-drug delivery, materials science, early biopharmaceutics, and drug formulation

Qualifications

• Required: PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related field with 10+ years (or BS/MS with 10–12 years) of relevant industry experience in small molecule drug product design
• Required: Knowledge in biology/pharmacology/drug discovery/drug delivery up to Proof of Concept studies
• Required: Small molecule formulation and/or early biopharmaceutics, materials science, or pharmacokinetics background with a strong record of scientific achievement
• Required: Experience in biophysical modeling, physicochemical solubility/dissolution, and biological transport phenomena; ability to interpret in vitro and in vivo/in vitro drug metabolism studies and pre-clinical exposure data for design and selection of drug candidates and delivery systems
• Required: Strong interest in learning and implementing new technologies and concepts; strong leadership interest
• Required: Extensive cross-disciplinary collaboration experience in a matrix environment; excellent organizational and communication skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Preferred: Proven track record in supervising, mentoring, and coaching scientists
• Preferred: Understanding of drug discovery and development concepts
• Preferred: Active development and advancement of scientific initiatives and external collaborations; collaborative partnering skills in a multi-disciplinary model

Skills

• Strong fundamentals in molecular and supramolecular interactions in aqueous environments
• Understanding of crystallization, polymorph behavior, and solid-form characterization and its impact on stability, manufacturability, and bio-performance
• Proficiency with modeling and simulation tools for predictive oral absorption and pharmacokinetics
• Leadership and mentorship capabilities; ability to influence and collaborate across peers and teams

Education

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant field (or BS/MS with substantial industry experience as specified in the qualifications)

Additional Requirements

• Physical/Mental Requirements: Ability to work in a dynamic laboratory environment, standing/sitting, handling small laboratory samples, performing calculations and data analysis, and managing multiple projects
• Travel: Occasional travel may be required
• Relocation: Relocation support available
• Work Location: On Premise