Chemist II

Curia • Albuquerque, NM

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The NPI Chemist II supports New Product Introduction (NPI) and technology transfer activities as a member of Curia’s NPI Tech Transfer Team. The role serves as the functional subject matter expert for assigned projects, providing technical leadership, risk assessment, planning, execution support, and operational readiness throughout technology transfer and commercialization. The Chemist II works with Program Management, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and customer-facing teams to support project execution through stage gates, knowledge transfer, issue resolution, and compliance with site procedures, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. The position supports multiple concurrent technology transfer programs.

The role independently performs routine and moderately complex analytical testing of raw materials, in-process and finished products, stability samples, plant water, and particulate samples using approved methods and laboratory instrumentation. It executes protocols and supports analytical method transfer, verification, validation, and laboratory implementation for new products. The Chemist II evaluates and documents results, investigates atypical findings, prepares technical documentation, reviews laboratory records, supports equipment qualification and maintenance, and contributes to method and SOP revisions and continuous improvement. Work must meet cGMP, data integrity, and other applicable regulatory requirements. The role also maintains audit readiness, follows aseptic gowning requirements, and complies with applicable DEA regulations where required.

The position is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Candidates must pass a background check and drug screen. Occupational health screening, gowning certification, media qualification, and respirator use may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in chemistry and NPI or a related role.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in the operation of common laboratory equipment and ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions.
• Ability to work independently on projects and routine activities.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with limited supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with laboratory and plant-area staff and office staff, and to use required office equipment.
• Must pass a background check.
• Must pass a drug screen.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of aseptic/sterile experience in the pharmaceutical or a related industry is preferred.
• May be required to pass occupational health screening.
• May be required to obtain and maintain gowning certification.
• May be required to obtain and maintain media qualification.
• May be required to wear a respirator.
• Leadership, integrity, respect, coaching, and mentorship skills.
• Business acumen and ability to foster a collaborative, positive work environment.
• Ability to champion change and coach and develop others.
• Commitment to identifying and addressing hazards, following safety protocols, participating in safety training, and promoting safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Act as the designated functional subject matter expert for assigned NPI and technology transfer projects.
• Participate in cross-functional Tech Transfer teams from project initiation through commercial launch.
• Lead discipline-specific assessments, gap analyses, risk evaluations, and readiness reviews.
• Support development and execution of project plans, timelines, and stage-gate deliverables.
• Provide technical expertise during customer meetings, technical discussions, audits, and governance reviews.
• Partner with Program Managers to identify project risks, mitigation plans, and escalation pathways.
• Ensure functional deliverables, documentation, and approvals are completed in accordance with procedures and timelines.
• Drive operational readiness activities supporting development, validation, and commercial manufacturing.
• Support knowledge transfer between sending and receiving organizations for process, product, analytical, and operational knowledge.
• Participate in Technical Review Boards, stage-gate reviews, and leadership governance meetings.
• Collaborate across departments to resolve technical challenges and remove execution barriers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of NPI and Tech 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.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory instrumentation, including balances, pipettes, pH meters, UV/Visible spectrophotometers, and TOC analyzers.
• Document laboratory activities, results, observations, and conclusions in accordance with GDP, data integrity requirements, and quality standards.
• Execute approved protocols for NPI, method transfer, method verification, method validation, stability, and laboratory implementation activities, documenting 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 contribute technical content to reports, method transfer packages, investigations, change controls, and NPI status updates.
• Analyze and interpret data, identify trends and atypical results, support investigations, and use root-cause analysis and risk-assessment tools to assist with problem resolution.
• Review laboratory documentation, analytical data, and test results for accuracy, completeness, and procedural compliance.
• Enter and maintain analytical data in laboratory data management systems and perform data review, tracking, and trending activities.
• Participate in developing, reviewing, and revising analytical methods, specifications, worksheets, SOPs, protocols, and supporting documents.
• Train and guide less experienced laboratory personnel on methods, equipment, procedures, and laboratory practices as needed.
• Participate in training programs to maintain technical knowledge, regulatory awareness, and laboratory proficiency.
• Prepare laboratory supplies, equipment, and documentation for manufacturing and analytical testing operations.
• Assist with qualification, evaluation, and implementation of laboratory equipment, analytical 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 NPI teams, including technical discussions about 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; and maintain current training.
• 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.
• 401(k) program with matching contributions.
• Learning platform.

What This Job Offers

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