Senior Scientist I

Phosphorex LLC • Hopkinton, MA

6h

About The Position

This position may be filled at the Scientist I or Senior Scientist I level depending on the candidate’s education and experience. The role focuses on formulating and characterizing particulate-based drug delivery systems, especially polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs), polymeric microspheres (PMPs), and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Hands-on polymeric particle experience is strongly preferred. Both levels work hands-on in the laboratory and contribute to experimental planning, data analysis, technical troubleshooting, and formulation activities. The Senior Scientist I leads formulation development and optimization, oversees upstream and downstream activities, mentors junior scientists, and communicates with clients.

The role includes preparing, purifying, processing, and characterizing polymeric and lipid-based formulations; evaluating short-term stability; interpreting results; documenting work; and collaborating across departments. The Senior Scientist I serves as technical lead on particle screening, feasibility, process development, and scale-up projects, translating statements of work into experimental plans and managing multiple projects in parallel. The position requires work in a laboratory environment with potential chemical exposure, and may occasionally require working outside standard office hours to meet project needs.

Requirements

• Scientist I: Bachelor of Science in chemistry, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, engineering, or a related discipline with 2–5 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 0–2 years of relevant experience.
• Senior Scientist I: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical or Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field with 10–15 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with 5–9 years of relevant experience; or a PhD with 2–5 years of relevant experience.
• Senior Scientist I: Advanced expertise in formulation science and characterization techniques.
• Ability to independently execute experiments and summarize results.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with scientists and engineers from other disciplines.
• Ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team in a highly collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to multiple projects in parallel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Strong hands-on experience with biodegradable polymeric systems and development and characterization of polymeric micro- and nanoparticle formulations (PNPs and PMPs).
• Experience with downstream processing of polymeric particle formulations, including dialysis, centrifugation, tangential flow filtration, and lyophilization.
• Prior experience with microfluidic fabrication and characterization of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Experience in a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) environment or service-focused life sciences company.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize particulate-based drug delivery systems for nucleic acids, peptides, small molecules, and other payloads, primarily polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric microspheres, and LNPs.
• Prepare polymeric and lipid-based nanoparticle and microsphere formulations using techniques such as emulsification and microfluidics.
• Purify and perform downstream processing of formulations using dialysis, centrifugation, and tangential flow filtration.
• Filter formulations; add cryoprotectants; aliquot and freeze or lyophilize formulations.
• Characterize formulations, including particle size, zeta potential, and in vitro release.
• Evaluate short-term stability of frozen and lyophilized formulations to support proof-of-concept in vitro and in vivo studies.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results and use them to inform subsequent experiments; Scientist I does so with guidance from technical leads.
• Summarize experimental results and communicate them to technical leads and internal project teams.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant instrumentation, equipment, and scientific methodologies.
• Troubleshoot technical problems during project plan execution and recommend and implement solutions; Senior Scientist I leads this work.
• Collaborate with project teams to define and execute project plans and lead assigned screening, feasibility, process development, and scale-up projects.
• For Senior Scientist I, serve as technical lead on LNP and polymeric particle screening, feasibility, process development, and scale-up projects.
• Translate statements of work into experimental plans; plan, execute, summarize, and interpret experiments.
• Lead hands-on experimental execution and collaborate with junior scientists.
• Act as the technical point of contact for client communications.
• Manage time, organization, priorities, and multiple projects in parallel.
• Contribute to project scoping and costing.
• Collaborate across Operations, Analytical Services, and Process Development to help project teams meet objectives.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Write and review experimental methods, batch records, SOPs, technical bulletins or white papers, and technical reports.
• Maintain a detailed laboratory notebook.
• Follow Environmental Health and Safety practices and SOPs to maintain a safe, clean, organized work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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