Chemist II

Curia • Albuquerque, NM

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The NPI Chemist II at Curia in Albuquerque, New Mexico, supports New Product Introduction (NPI) and technology transfer activities as a member of the NPI Tech Transfer Team. The role serves as the functional subject matter expert across assigned NPI projects, providing technical leadership, risk assessment, planning, execution support, and operational readiness throughout the transfer and commercialization lifecycle. It works with Program Management, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, customers, and other cross-functional teams to support stage-gate execution, knowledge transfer, risk mitigation, and compliance with site procedures, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. The position is dedicated to NPI activities and supports multiple concurrent technology transfer programs.

The role also performs routine and moderately complex analytical testing for pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, customer requirements, and NPI programs. Testing includes raw materials, in-process materials, finished products, stability samples, plant water, and particulate samples. The Chemist independently uses approved analytical methods and laboratory instrumentation, executes protocols, supports method transfer, verification, and validation, and documents and reviews results. The position helps implement new products in the laboratory, investigates atypical findings, prepares technical documentation, supports equipment qualification and maintenance, and reviews records for accuracy and compliance with cGMP, data integrity, and applicable regulatory standards.

The Chemist collaborates with cross-functional teams, contributes to SOP and method revisions and continuous improvement, and provides technical guidance to less experienced laboratory staff. The role maintains audit readiness, follows aseptic gowning requirements, and complies with applicable DEA regulations. Additional conditions may include obtaining gowning certification or media qualification and wearing a respirator.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field.
• At least three years of experience in chemistry and NPI or a related role.
• Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions.
• Ability to work independently on projects and routine activities, meet deadlines, and work under pressure with limited supervision.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in the use and operational principles of common laboratory equipment.
• Ability to be accessible to laboratory, plant-area, and office staff and use required office equipment.
• Must pass a background check and drug screen.
• May be required to pass Occupational Health Screening.
• Must obtain and maintain gowning certification or media qualification if required, and may be required to wear a respirator.
• Must maintain required DEA clearance and follow applicable controlled-substance requirements where applicable.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of aseptic or sterile experience in a pharmaceutical or related industry.
• Experience or ability to provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to team members.
• Business acumen, collaborative leadership, adaptability, and the ability to promote a safe and positive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as the designated functional subject matter expert for assigned NPI and technology transfer projects, participating in cross-functional teams from project initiation through commercial launch.
• Lead discipline-specific assessments, gap analyses, risk evaluations, and readiness reviews; support project plans, timelines, stage-gate deliverables, and operational readiness.
• Provide technical expertise in customer meetings, technical discussions, audits, governance reviews, and Technical Review Board and stage-gate reviews.
• Partner with Program Managers to identify project risks, mitigation plans, and escalation pathways; ensure functional deliverables, documentation, and approvals meet procedures and timelines.
• Support knowledge transfer between sending and receiving organizations and help resolve technical challenges and execution barriers across departments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of NPI and technology transfer processes, tools, templates, and best practices.
• Independently perform routine and moderately complex analytical testing of raw materials, in-process samples, finished products, stability samples, plant water, and particulate samples using approved procedures and validated methods.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory instrumentation, including balances, pipettes, pH meters, UV/Visible spectrophotometers, and Total Organic Carbon analyzers.
• Execute approved protocols for NPI, method transfer, verification, validation, stability, and laboratory implementation; document execution, observations, deviations, and results.
• Support laboratory readiness assessments for new products, including review of methods, specifications, sample requirements, standards, reagents, columns, consumables, equipment, software, and analyst training needs.
• Perform feasibility or familiarization testing under approved plans and escalate method, equipment, material, scheduling, or data-quality risks.
• Prepare data summaries and technical content for reports, method transfer packages, investigations, change controls, and NPI status updates.
• Analyze and interpret data, identify trends or atypical results, support investigations, and use root-cause analysis and risk assessment tools to assist in problem resolution.
• Review laboratory documentation, analytical data, and test results for accuracy, completeness, and procedural compliance; maintain data in applicable laboratory systems and perform basic tracking and trending.
• Participate in developing, reviewing, and revising analytical methods, specifications, worksheets, SOPs, protocols, and supporting laboratory documents.
• Train and guide less experienced laboratory personnel and participate in training to maintain technical knowledge, regulatory awareness, and laboratory proficiency.
• Prepare laboratory supplies, equipment, and documentation for manufacturing and analytical testing; assist with qualification and implementation of equipment, procedures, and process improvements.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, organization, housekeeping, and audit readiness in accordance with GLP, cGMP, and company standards.
• Collaborate with NPI, Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, Engineering, Project Management, and other teams on product onboarding, testing, technical issues, and schedules; interact with customers on protocols, testing issues, and product performance.
• Maintain required DEA clearance and comply with controlled-substance requirements where applicable.
• Follow safety, regulatory, quality, and company policies; read and interpret SOPs, maintain current training, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous benefit options, eligible from the first day of employment.
• Paid training, vacation, and holidays; vacation accrual begins on the first day of employment.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Education reimbursement.
• 401K program with matching contributions.
• Learning platform.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level