Formulation Senior Research Scientist

Job Description

General Summary:

Formulation Development seeks a dedicated scientist to join a diligent team working to discover, develop, and commercialize therapies for patients with serious diseases. The incumbent will join our innovative preclinical formulation group to play a hands-on role in driving the selection of drug candidates for clinical evaluation. This role designs and executes elaborate experiments for pharmaceutical sciences projects and demonstrates resourcefulness in running multiple activities concurrently, all related to achievement of goals/objectives.

The ideal candidate has a fundamental understanding of chemistry and physics and has direct experience in a research laboratory .The candidate must comfortably take initiative, be curious, and show resilience in solving complex problems.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop stable and bioavailable formulations for different stages of development (e.g. solution/suspension based formulations, amorphous pharmaceutical systems into solid oral dosage forms, parenterals, etc.)
• Designs and performs technically challenging experiments in compliance with applicable regulations and SOPs
• Performs relatively advanced experimental troubleshooting and methods development
• "Multi-tasks" to effectively manage efforts on multiple activities and/or projects
• Scours relevant scientific literature within field and surveys broadly beyond own discipline/field
• May innovate technical methodologies to improve outcomes and achieve results
• Contributes to patent and publication preparation
• "Imports" new principles/concepts from other fields to develop useful new experimental approaches
• May be the practical manager of CRO contracts or external collaborative development
• May supervise other Pharmaceutical Sciences staff and may be responsible for quality, timeliness and accuracy of work done of others

Knowledge and Skills:

• Hands on experience with formulation techniques, processing equipment, and unit operations at both the laboratory and clinical manufacturing scales
• Direct experience working with small molecule new chemical entities (NCEs) and exposure to early phase formulation development activities
• Experience with formulation development of poorly soluble compounds, particularly development of amorphous solid dispersions and transition to larger scale
• Hands-on experience and technical expertise in manufacture of amorphous solid dispersions (e.g., by spray-drying)
• Direct experience working with CMOs
• Proven ability to apply the principles of the basic sciences, such as physical and organic chemistry, thermodynamics, and materials science, to preformulation and formulation development, using a rational, scientific approach
• A history of success working in environments defined by innovation and initiative
• Strong background in physical chemistry and good understanding of material properties
• Ability to work effectively and comfortably in a multi-disciplinary team under defined timelines
• Strong technical writing, verbal and written communication skills
• Successful and efficient multitasking and working on a few projects concurrently
• Detail-oriented
• Excellent leadership, teamwork and organizational skills
• Solid verbal and written communication skills
• Strong data analysis skills

Education and Experience:

• PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials sciences or related field and 2-5 years experience in life sciences, engineering or academia, OR Master with 5 years OR Bachelors with 8 years

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com