Scientist I, Formulations
$100,000–$126,500 year
On-site · Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Job Summary
Role focuses on the development, screening, and optimization of dried powder formulations using lyophilization and spray drying, with a primary focus on stability, reproducibility, and performance across formulation variables. The Scientist I/II will work closely with process development partners to produce robust, stable, and scalable powders, contribute to experimental design, data interpretation, and the establishment of best practices for formulation screening, characterization, and documentation in a fast-moving, early-stage environment. Responsibilities include conducting formulation screening using statistically grounded designs (DoEs), evaluating excipients and processing conditions on material stability, and characterizing powders using analytical methods (particle size, morphology, thermal analysis, moisture content, bulk properties). Additional duties involve supporting scale-up/tech transfer, maintaining rigorous documentation, generating high-quality summaries and datasets for decision-making and potential patent disclosures, and helping establish long-term formulation workflows and standards within a small, collaborative team.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (with 10 years of relevant research experience) or Master’s degree (with 8 years of relevant research experience), or PhD (with 0 years of relevant research experience) in chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, biotechnology, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience with drying-based formulation techniques, including lyophilization and/or spray drying, and an understanding of how process parameters influence solid-state properties.
- Experience designing and executing statistically informed experiments (e.g., DoEs), with the ability to interpret interaction effects and use data to guide experimental iteration.
- Familiarity with analytical and characterization techniques for powders and solid-state materials (e.g., DSC, TGA, particle sizing, microscopy, bulk property measurements), and the ability to select fit-for-purpose methods.
- Familiarity with downstream processing operations (e.g., tangential flow filtration and other purification workflows).
- Proven ability to work independently in a dynamic, early-stage research environment, balancing hands-on execution with thoughtful experimental planning and cross-functional communication.
- Strong scientific documentation and communication skills, with experience generating reproducible records and decision-enabling datasets.
- Embodies resilience and scientific rigor in pursuing complex technical questions by iteratively testing hypotheses and refining parameters through uncertainty to converge on robust, optimized solutions.
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