Preclinical Formulation Scientist

Job Description Summary

Technical Research & Development is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the discovery pharmaceutics function, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Profiling (CPP), and contribute to the development of discovery compounds. This successful candidate will join an energizing and collaborative research environment working as part of cross functional drug discovery teams in providing a developability assessment of new chemical entities.

The ideal candidate must be capable of working independently to execute pre-formulation activities for small molecule and oligonucleotide drug candidates. As such, strong competency in physical pharmacy, preclinical formulation development and biopharmaceutics is required to efficiently function in this role and in understanding the physicochemical properties of new chemical entities and implementing formulation strategies to maximize the exposure in preclinical in vivo studies.

 

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Expert, Science and Technology (Level 3/GJFA 6)

Position Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite

About this role:

Technical Research & Development is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the discovery pharmaceutics function, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Profiling (CPP), and contribute to the development of discovery compounds. This successful candidate will join an energizing and collaborative research environment working as part of cross functional drug discovery teams in providing a developability assessment of new chemical entities.

The ideal candidate must be capable of working independently to execute pre-formulation activities for small molecule and oligonucleotide drug candidates. As such, strong competency in physical pharmacy, preclinical formulation development and biopharmaceutics is required to efficiently function in this role and in understanding the physicochemical properties of new chemical entities and implementing formulation strategies to maximize the exposure in preclinical in vivo studies.

The candidate must demonstrate and foster strong team spirit and promote knowledge exchange within and between teams. Furthermore, the candidate should be able to proactively manage the interactions of simultaneous project related activities between CPP and other departments such as research and pharmaceutical development. The candidate must ensure alignment with other departments and functions and 3rd parties, as appropriate. In order to accomplish this, the role requires timely communication of overall project information to the appropriate management level via oral and written communication and ensuring that the project team objectives are in alignment with functional objectives.

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Design and develop stage appropriate, fit-for-purpose preclinical formulations. This includes development of both oral and parenteral formulations on a small scale for small molecules and oligonucleotides

• Wet media attrition nanomilling to prepare nanosuspensions at very small scales and characterize their colloidal stability using DLSAssessment of the performance of prototype formulations using in vitro tests such as dissolution, precipitation behavior, and stability

• Preparation of formulations for use in preclinical in vivo studies and authoring protocols describing preparation of formulations for use at internal and external formulation labs

• Basic drug substance characterization by techniques such as XRPD, DSC and TGA, DVS, PLM and UPLC. Assessment of the chemical and physical properties of small molecules, such as solubility, dissolution, particle size and chemical stability

• Routine lab support such as buffer and mobile phase preparation, pH meter calibration, basic troubleshooting of lab equipment, and coordinating with external instrument and service vendors. Shipping and receiving of samples between other Novartis and external sites

What you’ll bring to the role:

• BS or MS with 3+ years relevant experience in pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field

• Practical experience in developing and preparing preclinical formulations

• Basic knowledge of physicochemical properties and their relationship to formulation development

• Hands on experience with a range of analytical methods used to assess compound properties

• The ability to manage multiple parallel activities and deliver results to agreed timelines

• Ability to work independently but with good communication skills

Desirable Requirements:

• Knowledge of biopharmaceutics

• Experience communicating data and proposing further experimental work

Why Nov