Senior Scientist, Preformulation/Developability

Job Specification

Pharmaron is a premier R&D service company supporting the life sciences industry. Founded in 2003, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities having established diverse drug R&D service capabilities, ranging from synthetic, medicinal and analytical chemistry, biology, DMPK, pharmacology, drug safety assessment, radiochemistry and isotopically labelled metabolism, chemical & pharmaceutical development to clinical development, including applications of 14C microtracer AMS technology. With operations in China, US and UK staffed by over 7,500 employees, Pharmaron has an excellent track record in the delivery of R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan and China.

Senior Scientist, Preformulation/Developability - Product Development

Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

Pharmaron acquired the Hoddesdon campus, consisting of several purpose built scientific and administrative buildings together with a purpose built conference area in February 2017. The research building has more than 5,000m2 of premier R&D space and houses an established Process Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Drug Discovery teams. In addition, a Formulation Development team was also recently established. The Hoddesdon site has state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standard facilities for the development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Formulation Development (FD) and Process Chemistry (PC).

A passionate business with a strong appetite for growth and innovation, we are proud of our achievements to date and excited for what the future brings. We are looking for a Preformulation/Developability Scientist (Senior Scientist) to join our Preformulation and Preclinical services Team within FD, who is seeking a challenge, has a desire to grow and develop with the department.

The successful candidate will have a background in Preformulation/Formulation (desirable), Materials Characterisation or Analytical Chemistry combined with expertise in solubility determination, XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy and PSD. Knowledge in the following areas: Salt selection, polymorphism, Amorphous solid dispersions, Spray drying, particle size reduction together with knowledge of other analytical methodologies utilised to characterize APIs would be a definite advantage.

The candidate will support our Preformulation and Preclinical services Team in providing characterisation, developability assessments and Preclinical formulation development for lead compounds. The candidate will also support the Formulation Development team providing Preformulation support including solubility assessments, excipient compatibility, materials characterisation and salt selection. The candidate will need to be able to collaborate effectively with Drug Discovery, Process Chemistry, Formulation Development and Analytical Chemistry colleagues.

Qualification

An MSc or a PhD and at least 2 years’ relevant experience in Preformulation or materials characterisation within a Formulation or Analytical Chemistry laboratory.

Significant expertise in troubleshooting and developing materials characterisation methods including; Solubility determination, stability, XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, Microscopy and PSD. In-depth, hands-on expertise in HPLC, and up-to-date knowledge of other analytical methodologies.

Strong scientific track record.

Key roles and responsibilities

• Supporting Preformulation and Preclinical services team to characterise lead compounds and provide an assessment of the developability of drug candidates.
• Plan/Perform pre-formulation studies of APIs based on the available preclinical data to develop a strategy for clinical dosage forms.
• To develop appropriate Preclinical formulations for lead compounds to deliver the desired exposures and profiles for Preclinical animal studies via several routes of administration.
• Assessment of solubility in a variety of Biorelevant media and buffers.
• To characterise the physical and chemical interactions of APIs with formulation excipients.
• Formulate APIs into conventional and enabling dosage forms for oral administration in preclinical models.
• In-depth knowledge to characterize physical attributes of APIs and formulated dosage forms.
• To support the Formulation Department defining final salt and polymorphic form based on a full materials characterisation assessment.
• Drive scientific product design, process and/or product performance understanding to influence strategies in preclinical product development with line of sight to the early-stage development.
• Support the technical development of other scientists.
• Keep abreast with the scientific literature and proactively apply existing and novel approaches to projects.
• Publish novel work in peer reviewed journals.
• A strong presence in the laboratory, acting as a role model for other team members.
• Demonstrate scientific leadership for formulation area and deliver improvements through coaching and mentoring of others individually and through the skill area networks.

• Plan/conduct the experimental work effectively and efficiently in-house with line of sight to the early-stage development.
• Working within multidisciplinary project teams working to tight deadlines.
• Able to step in and learn new techniques to support projects.
• Ability to solve complex scientific problems.
• Able to work effectively in a GMP laboratory.
• Ability to present regular project updates internally and to external clients in the form of PowerPoint presentations and via formal written reports.

The successful candidate will have a flexible approach to their work and demonstrates the following attributes:

• Excellent communication; both verbal and written
• A team player
• Attention to detail
• Conscientious
• Well organised and follows up on actions
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office

Application

If you believe you are the right candidate for this role then please provide a copy of your CV and a covering letter explaining why you believe you meet the criteria sought. Address your application to hrinbox@pharmaron-uk.com

Closing date: 15 June 2023