Formulation Scientist (Contract to Perm) at Enigma Search in San Leandro, California, United States

Job description

• We are seeking a hands-on Formulation Scientist to support development-stage formulation development and pre-formulation screening activities for small molecule programs.
• Reporting directly to the Director of Pharmaceutical Sciences, this individual will focus on developing novel formulations, performing wet chemistry and solubility measurements, and managing physicochemical characterization. This is a high-impact, onsite role suited for a scientist who can execute independently in a fast-paced startup environment while actively contributing to the build-out of laboratory capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Platform Optimization: Develop and optimize the formulation, scale-up, and engineering of the company's proprietary technology platform.
• Pre-formulation Testing: Perform development-stage analytical testing to support day-to-day formulation and pre-formulation workflows.
• Wet Chemistry: Conduct traditional wet chemistry analyses, including titrations and related measurement techniques.
• Scale-Up & Isolation: Execute technical scale-up and isolation techniques such as lyophilization (freeze-drying), spray drying, and solvent-mediated salt form isolations.
• Characterization: Perform physicochemical and solid-state characterization as needed to evaluate drug properties and crystalline forms.
• Data Integration: Analyze, interpret, and meticulously document experimental data to directly inform pipeline development decisions.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related scientific field.
• Experience: 7–10 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology formulation and analytical development.
• Technical Expertise: Strong hands-on experience with solid-state characterization, troubleshooting, and wet chemistry techniques.
• Physicochemical Acumen: Proven familiarity with solubility testing, phase profiling, and basic pre-formulation characterization.
• Startup Agility: Ability to operate independently in a nimble, fast-paced environment with strong data analysis, documentation, and technical reporting skills.
• Prior experience supporting early-stage CMC or 505(b)(2) drug development programs.
• Familiarity with specialized particle engineering studies, spray drying, or lyophilization optimization.
• Technical exposure to phase equilibrium, crystallization kinetics, and/or polymorph screening.

Skills

Required

• Formulation development
• Analytical development
• Solid-state characterization
• Wet chemistry techniques
• Solubility testing
• Phase profiling
• Pre-formulation characterization
• Data analysis
• Documentation
• Technical reporting

Preferred

• Early-stage CMC
• 505(b)(2) drug development
• Particle engineering studies
• Spray drying
• Lyophilization optimization
• Phase equilibrium
• Crystallization kinetics
• Polymorph screening