Scientist 1, Product Development

Catalent • San Diego, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Catalent’s San Diego, CA site is an early‑phase development facility supporting small‑molecule and peptide programs from preformulation through cGMP clinical manufacturing for oral and injectable dosage forms. The 68,000‑square‑foot site is a center of excellence for spray‑drying and bioavailability‑enhancement technologies, with integrated capabilities to advance challenging compounds rapidly into the clinic.

Position Summary
We have an opportunity for a Scientist 1, Product Development to join our team. In this role, you will work with a high degree of autonomy to plan and execute simple laboratory experiments and communicate project status to management and clients. You will apply creativity and innovation to problem solving and develop formulations such as solutions, suspensions, capsules, tablets, and amorphous intermediates. You will also gain experience with analytical techniques and contribute to training and mentoring colleagues, all while ensuring compliance with SOPs and GMP regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s of Science degree is required plus a minimum of one (1) year of drug product development experience
• We will also accept a Master’s of Science without any formal industry experience
• Individual needs to be accessible to lab and office staff and able to use required office equipment.
• Specific vision requirements include reading of written documents and frequent use of a computer monitor

Nice To Haves

• Experience with various formulation types such as solutions, suspensions, tablets, capsules, or amorphous intermediates; spray dried dispersion experience is a plus
• Experience with analytical techniques such as pH, osmolality, viscosity, particle size, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Responsibilities

• Conduct formulation studies and characterization of drug products for preclinical or human clinical dosage forms
• Independently design and execute simple experiments; seek supervisor assistance for complex designs
• Make decisions that may impact workload and project timelines
• Interpret data with limited guidance, identifying key factors and understanding findings
• Maintain clear and accurate records in laboratory notebooks and review colleagues’ work for accuracy and compliance
• Increase client interaction, including leading technical discussions related to projects
• Stay current with scientific literature to maintain professional expertise
• Develop understanding of cGMPs and Catalent SOPs and systems relevant to assigned work
• Comply with good housekeeping and safety practices
• May supervise a laboratory assistant
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Competitive Paid Time Off plus 10 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits effective day one of employment
• Tuition Reimbursement – support to finish your degree or earn a new one
• Site-based Employee Engagement activities such as Movie Day, Annual Blues Fest, Free Bagel Fridays, and more
• Employee Resource Groups focusing on Diversity and Inclusion
• Environmentally friendly, community engagement green initiatives including regular participation in Beach Clean-up
• Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process with potential for career growth
• WellHub program promoting physical wellness including onsite fitness center, yoga classes, and company-sponsored community sports teams
• Perkspot offers exclusive or private discounts from approximately 900+ merchants in a wide array of categories

What This Job Offers

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