FSP – Scientist – LNP Formulation Full-time

Scientist Position

This is a fully onsite role based at our customer's site in South San Francisco, CA. We welcome applicants from all locations within the US. Please note that relocation assistance is not provided for this position, and any relocation costs will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a global leader in serving science, with a clinical research business that is a leading contract research organization and world leader in serving science. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development and delivery of life-changing therapies.

Within our Analytical Services team, we have a functional service provider solution, which is a unique partnership that allows our customers to leverage the experience of our staff, while allowing you, the employee, to gain direct experience working onsite at a pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical company, all while maintaining full-time benefits.

Key Responsibilities:

We are seeking an outstanding Scientist to support formulation screening efforts within the Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences group. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and optimization of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and other parenteral formulations through high-throughput screening strategies and advanced analytical characterization. This role requires hands-on laboratory expertise, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams to support pharmaceutical formulation development.

• Design and execute high-throughput formulation screening experiments for lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and other parenteral drug delivery systems, using both bench instruments and automation tools.
• Physicochemical characterization of LNPs including particle size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, zeta potential, stability testing, etc.
• Solubility and stability screenings, solid state/polymorph characterizations to support formulation research and development.
• Design, plan, and troubleshoot laboratory experiments while maintaining strong attention to data quality and reproducibility.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, generating clear reports, presentations, and summaries for project teams.
• Document experimental procedures and results in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN) and internal data management systems.
• Collaborate with analytical scientists, formulation scientists, and cross-functional project teams to support development programs.
• Identify technical challenges and propose potential solutions to improve formulation performance and experimental workflows.
• Maintain compliance with laboratory safety standards, internal quality requirements, and regulatory guidelines.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in lab sciences such as Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering or similar
• Scientist: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 2-4 years)
• OR Masters degree

In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong theoretical knowledge of pharmaceutics; analytical, physical, and/or organic chemistry.
• Hands-on experience with LNP formulation and analytics, including microfluidics, dialysis and ultrafiltration, particle sizing, encapsulation efficiency analysis.
• Self-motivated with strong problem-solving capabilities to design and execute experiments independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Experience:

• Hands-on experience with analytical tools including UV/Vis/fluorescence spectroscopy, HPLC-UV/CAD/MS, capillary electrophoresis, or related technologies.
• Experience in analyzing peptides and nucleic acids.
• Experience with lab automation and hands-on experience with robotic liquid and solid handlers.
• Experience performing high-content data analysis, AI/ML, and interpreting complex experimental results.

Working Environment:

Below is listed the working environment/requirements for this role:

• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
• Able to work upright and stationary and/or standing for typical working hours.
• Able to lift and move objects up to 25 pounds
• Able to work in non-traditional work environments.
• Able to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
• May have exposure to potentially hazardous elements, including infectious agents, typically found in healthcare or laboratory environments.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.

Benefits

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $34.00–$39.50.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
• Employees' Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount