Research Associate, R&D - Pharma

Job Description

Research Associate, R&D - Pharma - Wilmington, DE

The Pharma Solutions business will be taking on its next chapter of growth as a trusted partner for the

pharmaceutical industry with the announcement to sell Pharma Solutions to Roquette. This move will position Pharma Solutions to expand its industry leadership through continued investment in innovation to meet the evolving needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers and developers worldwide.

The sale is presently expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

The Pharma Solutions business unit will remain a part of IFF until close and, at such time, it will transition to Roquette.

In applying for this position, you acknowledge your awareness that the position is a part of the Pharma Solutions business unit and has been identified to transition to Roquette.

We have an opportunity for a Biopharma R&D Scientist in the Colloids and Biopharma R&D group, part of IFF Pharma Solutions, in Wilmington, Delaware.

This role supports R&D scientists supporting the Pharmaceutical market segment through the preparation and execution of experimental activities.

A successful applicant will have laboratory experience associated with the experimental methods, analytical techniques, and instrumentation trouble-shooting.

Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate good interpersonal and organizational skills with a strong commitment to safety.

Responsibilities :

Works as part of a team supporting scientists in evaluating existing and developing new excipient technologies for use in biopharmaceutical processing and formulations.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

• Solution and formulation preparation using manual and automatic pipetting techniques
• Sterile mammalian cell culture processes, including passaging, counting, assaying, and plating
• Operation of characterization and analytical equipment including but not limited to absorbance measurements, light scattering, rheometry, liquid chromatography (HPLC and SEC), micro-flow imaging, light microscopy, and tensiometry
• Set up and run experiments mimicking standard processing steps such as filtration, concentration, dispersion, emulsification, and lyophilization
• Independently develops and implements experimental plans. Responsible for a wide variety of complex laboratory tasks including following developed procedures and trouble-shooting as needed.

Recommends and implements variations in approaches as needed.

Understands the value of high quality data and utilizes Good Laboratory Practices (or equivalent) to generate such data.

Accurately and reliably records readings and observations using relevant equipment and instruments.

Organizes and prepares data tables and charts to present data collected in studies supported. Often prepares summaries of work and results to be included in reports, both internal and external.

Interprets results of trials and experiments and documents according to IFF standards.

Troubleshoots faulty equipment and effects repairs or initiates repair processes as appropriate. Maintains and updates personal knowledge for proper use of equipment via manuals and job aids, logs maintenance activities and calibration results as required.

Suggests and develops new standard operating procedures (SOP’s). Identified the need for and is involved in implementing new processes, procedures or technology to improve performance of work group.

Understands the group objectives and the business or group's value creating strategy and is an important contributor to the technical solutions that result in project and team success.

Trains other work group members and contractors on specific work processes, equipment, machinery, for which the incumbent is a work group subject matter expert.

Leads the team or work group in identifying improvement opportunities in area of Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) and implements improved EH&S practices and procedures

Qualifications :

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Laboratory Medicine, or closely-related field with 3-5 years experience OR Associate’s Degree and a minimum of 7 years’ experience.

Exceptional recent bachelor’s degree graduates with relevant undergraduate research experience will be considered.

• Requires proficiency with standard workstation software, including Word, Excel, and specialized computer-based systems, databases and / or software applications relevant to supported technologies.
• Prior experience with and knowledge of excipients, ingredients, and materials used in biopharmaceutical formulations or processes used in biopharmaceutical development and manufacture, such as recombinant protein production, viral vector development, and / or cell therapies.

Academic experience is acceptable.

Understanding of laboratory operation and basic Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) requirements such as safe operating procedures (SOP) and management of change (MOC).

Understanding and strong commitment to safety for themselves and their co-workers.

Must have strong multi-tasking, problem solving and time management skills. The ability to provide reasonable timelines for work and consistently deliver against them.

Comfort at communicating constraints on timelines and a willingness to work with others to accept them or identify alternative routes.

• Strong technical and interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team environment.
• Good communication skills sufficient to communicate technical work, results, and observations effectively with others across functions and to multiple levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies with an understanding of basic chemistry and biology principles and apply understanding to make suggestions for improvements
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have strong multi-tasking, problem solving and time management skills.
• A self-starter who can identify, prioritize and accomplish multiple tasks.

Preferred Experience :

At least one of :

• Prior experience with scale-down bioreactor systems such as Ambr, DasBox, PBS-Mini, or similar.
• Prior experience with water soluble and gel-forming polymers.
• Prior experience in pharmaceutical dosage form preparation / characterization, pharmaceutical excipients, or polymer characterization.
• Prior experience with solution formulations and wet chemistry.
• Prior experience with emulsification and polymer chemistry.
• A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship / support is available for this position, including for any type of U.

S. permanent residency (green card) process. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.