Senior Scientist - Solid Oral Dosage, Product Development
Job Code - RD0703

Spherics, Inc., is an emerging venture-backed pharmaceutical company that is applying its novel bioadhesiveplatform technologies (50+ patents issued) to develop a pipeline of products with improved therapeutic profiles for treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases.  These enabling technologies are also being used to provide enhanced drug delivery solutions for other pharmaceutical and biotech companies that are developing new products and establishing lifecycle management programs.   

We are seeking a Senior Scientist with a solid academic and hands-on background in designing pharmaceutical formulations as well as sound knowledge of pharmaceutics.  This is an advanced level position for a someone experienced in formulating controlled-release solid oral dosage forms.  Experience supervising 1-2 junior level formulators/technicians is a plus.

You will be working as part of a small team, helping develop novel oral dosage forms based on our proprietary bioadhesive delivery technology to be used for preclinical as well as clinical testing and commercial production.

Job Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be required to perform the following job functions:

·         Design and execute experimental plans to develop stable and robust formulations for solid oral dosage forms

·         Operate process equipment at small and intermediate scale (up to ~5 kg) to produce solid oral dosage forms

·         Organize and evaluate data in an effective and scientific manner

·         Identify and recommend data driven solutions to experimental problems

·         Perform excipient and packaging compatibility studies

·         Initiate stability studies and evaluate/trend stability data

·         Design and recommend product specifications and stability limits

·         Perform and support formulation and process scale-up

·         Support formulation/process technology transfer to Manufacturing Group or outsourced contract manufacturing organization

·         Participate in the manufacturing of clinical trial materials

·         Prepare written development and scientific reports

·         Prepare and support CMC sections of regulatory filings

·         Maintain current knowledge of technologies, including use of outside resources such as literature, vendor technical services, and consultants

·         Present scientific information to internal and external customers

·         Represent company at regional and national scientific/technical meetings, including presentations

·         Help mentor junior level members of the product development group

·         Supervise 1-2 junior level formulators/technicians (depends on prior experience)

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate should possess the following attributes:

·         Team player committed to quality

·         Philosophy of executing “good science” practices

·         Entrepreneurial attitude and motivated self starter

·         Flexible individual who can embrace changes in a small company environment

·         Innovative thinker and problem solver

·         Detailed and results oriented

·         Well organized, efficient worker with good communication skills (oral and written)

·         Able to manage multiple duties and tasks

·         Brings closure to work in a timely fashion

Minimum Education/Experience Requirement:

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, or related field, with five years hands-on experience developing solid oral dosage forms.  Candidates must have hands-on experience with all conventional processing equipment for solid oral dosage form manufacturing, including:

·         Low and high shear granulation

·         Extrusion and spheronization

·         Fluid-bed granulation, drying, and coating

·         Milling

·         Blending

·         Compression and encapsulation

·         Capsule banding

·         Pan coating

In addition, knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical polymers, and familiarity with manufacturing in a GMP-compliant environment is a plus.

Spherics (www.spherics.com) is located in Mansfield, MA, 30 miles south of Boston, near the intersection of Routes 95 and 495.

Spherics offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.

Equal opportunity employer.

Please e-mail resume/CV to hr@spherics.com (preferred), fax to (508) 452-7070, or mail to:

Spherics, Inc.
375 Forbes Blvd.
Mansfield, MA 02048