Associate Scientist - Materials Science

Job Purpose

Materials Science provides holistic understanding of how structure influences particle and powder properties to design a particle process which optimises drug product processing and performance. As projects advance through development, materials scientists support project teams by performing laboratory studies, analysing data, from lead optimization up to and including the transfer and industrialization of manufacturing processes to commercial facilities. Your role will be focused on the characterisation and of drug substances to support the design, selection and progression of all new drug products developed within our client’s Pharmaceutical portfolio. This will be based on generation of biopharmaceutics, preformulation and bioenhancement data with additional material science understanding created using a range of analytical methods and small scale formulation tools.

Here at our pioneering R&D Stevenage site we have a fantastic opportunity for a 12 month fixed term Associate Scientist position to cover maternity leave. This is an entry level role and will be predominantly lab-based.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing plans and executing laboratory experiments for in-vitro biorelevant measurements of a drug substance or formulation (e.g. kinetic solubility, dissolution, Intrisic Dissolution Rate, permeability) across multiple projects to inform decision making
• Develop and utilise screening methods to enable rapid identification of preformulation and bioenhancement options for early discovery programs and potential alternative bioenhancement options for poorly soluble APIs
• Work in collaboration with partners (Drug Product Development, Biopharmaceutics, CMC Analytical) to generate early prototypes for bioenhanced formulations at small scale such as spray dried dispersions, hot melt extrusion, micronisation and LBFs
• Perform physical properties analysis of drug substance and drug product intermediates such as SDD’s using a range of analytical characterisation techniques, including XRPD, Raman, DSC, TGA, SEM, Optical and Hot Stage Microscopy
• Ensure appropriate quality activities are performed throughout development including authoring of analytical test results
• Work effectively and collaboratively on multi-disciplinary medicine development teams
• Perform data management and some data interpretation, record results effectively and communicate results in technical reports
• Comply with local regulatory and data integrity requirements, including cGMP and the company's policies and procedures, with high quality and attention to one’s own safety

Minimum Level of Education Required

BSc in the area of Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science or equivalent

Preferred Level of Education

MSc in the area of Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science or equivalent

Previous Experience Required

Basic experience:

• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of physical and analytical chemistry
• Good understanding of pharmaceutical formulation principles
• Good time management and team-working skills in a matrix environment
• Experience in a lab-based setting

Preferred experience:

• Experience in in-vitro biorelevant measurements (e.g. solubility/dissolution) for oral biopharmaceutics
• Use of analytical techniques to characterise the solid state of active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as XRPD and Raman
• Scientific knowledge and understanding of the anatomy/physiology of body, absorption, distribution & metabolism, and integration of biopharmaceutics with formulation design across dosage forms.
• Practical experience in generation of amorphous solid dispersions via solvent spray drying, hot melt extrusion or other techniques
• Experience in preformulation and bioenhancement methods such as suspensions, lipid based formulations and size reduction