Associate Scientist

Secant Group, located in the Philadelphia area, provides biomedical, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and technical components to industry partners for use in commercialized finished medical devices, drug products, and single-use solutions for cell and gene therapy. The Translational Product Development team serves as the development arm of Secant R&D, and our mission is to bring novel biomaterial solutions to these markets through diverse and innovative development projects with partners.

The Associate Scientist position is a laboratory-based scientific role in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment. In this role, you will be supporting product formulations for Secant Group’s biomaterial platform utilizing various characterization techniques. Secant’s biomaterial platform is focused on implantable and injectable pharmaceutical devices for controlled drug delivery.

In this Associate Scientist role, you will conduct experiments, contribute ideas and solutions, and characterize controlled release formulations for the Translational Product Development team. You will have the opportunity to work with teams comprised of cross-functional scientists to effectively coordinate internal efforts and customer requests, while progressing multiple projects through to completion quickly. This position provides you with ample opportunities to keep abreast of innovative and novel scientific developments in the pharmaceutical industry by presenting your own work at meetings, reading relevant literature, and trialing your ideas in the lab.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Characterize drug-loaded polymer formulations, designed for long-acting implantables, injectables, and oral gastroretention devices
• Formulate various hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs in polymers, to support customer projects and internal investigations
• Execute pre-formulation studies, such as drug particle size analysis, SEM, light microscopy, milling, and sieving
• Characterize drug-polymer miscibility and physiochemical interactions between polymers and various drugs, using DSC, TGA, rheometry
• Analyze formulations using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to determine drug-polymer mixing and distribution
• Perform and optimize drug extraction experiments using polymer solvent swelling to determine mixing efficiency, encapsulated drug loading, and content uniformity
• Run dissolution studies and analyze dissolution media to determine drug release profiles from polymer dosage forms
• Use HPLC to quantify drug concentration in solutions and perform HPLC sample preparation
• Run degradation studies and analyze sample weight, dimensions, and topography to determine polymer biodegradation behavior
• Perform wet chemistry experiments, like Soxhlet extractions, Karl Fischer titrations, hydroxyl value titrations, and acid value titrations
• With manager guidance, select, design, and execute experiments, based on interpretation of previous results and understanding of known theory
• Proactively seek to learn concepts, troubleshoot hurdles, and search literature for answers
• Work with manager to arrive at effective decisions to achieve desired outcomes and meet timelines
• Anticipate/recognize potential problems with equipment and/or supplies, and initiate action to solve or prevent problems
• Collaborate with other teammates within R&D to achieve project goals

Qualifications

• Some knowledge of biodegradable polymers or polyurethanes
• Some experience researching biomaterials
• Some exposure to controlled release drug delivery
• Desire to develop formulation skills and characterization skills for drug-polymer dosage forms, using analytical methods and instruments
• Ability to learn device fabrication and polymer processing techniques, including dispensing, formulation, mixing, milling, extrusion, dispersions, emulsions, molding, casting, and coatings
• Ability to learn test methods and equipment, including mechanical testing (MTS, Instron), DSC, TGA, FTIR, Raman, Dissolution, HPLC, Rheometry, SEM, Light Microscopy, Particle Size Analysis, Titrations, Extractions
• Aptitude for internalizing instructions given and applying to future scenarios
• Commitment to a task from start to finish, with consideration for all variables
• Thorough experimental technique and careful attention to detail
• Demonstrated problem solving ability
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• For Associate Scientist I: BS in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline with 0 years experience
• For Associate Scientist II: MS in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline with 0 years experience, OR BS in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline with 2 years experience

Work Environment:

• Daily exposure to a chemical lab environment, eye protection, safety footwear and additional PPE, as required.
• Occasional exposure to manufacturing environment and environmentally controlled rooms. Gowning is required to work in these rooms.
• Must follow company Safety Policy and Chemical Hygiene plan
• Adheres to GMP/QSR requirements and follows applicable QMS documentation (e.g., SOP’s, Work Instructions) to successfully accomplish job requirements
• Follows Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policies and procedures, including wearing hearing protection, safety shoes, gloves, eye protection as required
• Follows gowning procedures in designated areas.
• May be required to be fit for a respirator and adhere to the Respiratory Practice Program, depending on specific chemical handling
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision

Secant Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We maintain a commitment to providing equal access to employment. We value diversity and encourage applications from all genders, members of minority groups, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, and disabled individuals.

Secant Group is a drug-free workplace. All offers of employment are contingent on passing a drug screen as well as a background investigation (including a criminal courts history, driving record report if applicable, and social security name and number verification). The company provides reasonable accommodations for disabilities.

Secant Group participates in E-Verify as appropriate in accordance with company guidelines and federal or state law. This includes providing the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Secant Group’s Telford, PA, location is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not permitted in or around the building, including in vehicles