Preformulation Scientist

Position Summary:

Catalent Pharma Solutions in Somerset, NJ is hiring a Preformulation Scientist for the Oral Solid Dosage group. This position contributes significantly to the successful and timely development of new pharmaceutical products utilizing Catalent drug delivery systems and technologies by carrying out required activities for preformulation, physical characterization, physical pharmaceutics. materials science, and formulation development.

This is a full-time position: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM

Catalent is a global, high-growth, public company, and a leading partner for the pharmaceutical industry in the development and manufacturing of new treatments for patients worldwide. Your talents, ideas, and passion are essential to our mission: to help people live better, healthier lives. Catalent in Somerset, NJ is home to oral solid dose manufacturing operations as part of the Oral and Specialty Delivery (OSD) business unit. On site we have our state-of-the-art laboratory, clinical, and commercial manufacturing plant for oral dose forms in addition to being the Catalent Center of Excellence for handling Highly Potent Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

Catalent is committed to a Patient First culture through excellence in quality and compliance, and to the safety of every patient, consumer, and Catalent employee. 

The Role

• Design and carry out preformulation/physical characterization/physical pharmaceutics/materials science studies required for the assessment of developability of an API into a formulated product,   including: solution and solid-state characterization  studies,  solubility/solubility enhancement  studies, excipient compatibility studies, polymorph and salt screening and characterization, particle size analysis, assessment of bulk properties of powders/semi-solids and liquids.
• Design and carry out preformulation/physical characterization/physical pharmaceutics/materials science studies using traditional solid-state and solution state analytical techniques, including:  XRPD, DSC, TGA, particle size, microscopy (OLM, SEM), micromeritics, rheology, powder flow, etc.
• Conduct preformulation, physical characterization, physical pharmaceutics, and materials science studies for Phase 1 clinical supplies in collaboration with other members of Formulation Research and Development (FR&D) Group. Activities may include conduct formulation feasibility and process optimization studies, prepare pilot batch documentation, ensure availability of raw materials, and complete batch documentation
• Assist with customer presentations and preparation of development work plans to support ongoing and new business opportunities (for customers and for Catalent)
• Determine general development approaches to be utilized for assigned projects, then plan and execute development work independently with minimal supervision
• Interpret, evaluate, communicate, and properly document the results of development work and make recommendations for action
• Prepare CMC sections, technical and verbal reports and presentations on project progress as well as specifications, procedures and SOPs
• Coordinate with AR&D, Pilot Plant, Operations, QC, QA, and other groups necessary to ensure project requirements are met
• All other duties as assigned;

The Candidate

• Bachelors degree in pharmaceuticals or a related scientific discipline is required
• 4 or more years of experience is required, experience in preformulation studies and development of oral solid dosage forms is highly preferred
• Masters degree or higher is highly preferred; required experience can be substituted for education
• Prior experience required in preformulation, physical characterization, physical pharmaceutics, materials science principles, and analytical techniques, including XRPD,  DSC,  TGA,  particle  size,  microscopy, OLM, SEM, micromeritics, rheology, powder flow, etc.
• Experience in formulation development, formulation support, or analytical research and development is preferred
• Experience working for a contract organization is preferred
• Knowledge and application of scientific principles is preferred, including organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, solid-state chemistry, pharmaceutics
• Working knowledge of common pharmaceutical processing techniques is preferred, including tablets, capsules, suspensions, liquids, modified-release dosage forms

• Individual may be required to sit, stand, walk regularly and occasionally lift 0-15 pounds;

Why you should join Catalent:

• Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process 
• Diverse, inclusive culture 
• Positive working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative
• Potential for career growth on an expanding team within an organization dedicated to preserving and bettering lives 
• 152 Hours + 8 paid holidays
• Several Employee Resource Groups focusing on D&I
• Dynamic, fast-paced work environment
• Community engagement and green initiatives 
• Generous 401K match 
• Company match on donations to organizations
• Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment 
• Tuition Reimbursement – Let us help you finish your degree or start a new degree!
• WellHub program to promote overall physical wellness 
• Perkspot - offers exclusive or private discounts from approximately 900+ merchants in a wide array of categories

Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career!  Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference. 

personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.

Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.

Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to [email protected]. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:

Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond— it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to [email protected] for us to investigate with local authorities.

California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.