Principal Scientist, Analytical R&D, Solid State Nmr

Job Description

Our Scientists are our Inventors. We deliver robust scientific data and interpretation that drives the commercialization of breakthrough therapeutics using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and modern equipment. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing your career.

The Analytical Research and Development organization in Rahway, NJ is seeking a motivated Principal Scientist with technical expertise in Solid State NMR. Experience with solution NMR is a plus. The successful candidate is expected to collaboratively work with analytical scientists, understand their problem statements, and collaboratively design and provide solutions, establish new NMR methods, and drive strategic innovation in the field of NMR. The candidate must be able to work proactively and independently and influence decisions and solutions across the wide diversity of problem statements across our company's Research Laboratories. The role will require the candidate to network across a range of departments and effectively collaborate with stakeholders. The role will additionally require a strong ability to mentor scientists on the NMR team and exemplify positive ways of working which support diversity, inclusion, and a positive culture.

The ideal candidate is expected to be a leader in the field of NMR. This candidate will have an established track record of mentorship of junior talent and for advancing scientific excellence through external presentations and publications. Additionally, the candidate will have advanced knowledge of analytical experimental design and the ability to provide technical leadership across all major pipeline modalities including small molecules, peptides, antibodies, proteins, ADCs, and vaccines. Finally, this Principal Scientist will be a partner in problem solving providing key leadership and driving collaboration both internally and externally.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work performed in the NMR group includes, but is not limited to, structure elucidation, mechanism elucidation, analytical method development, form characterization, physicochemical characterization, and quantitative NMR analysis.

• Provide support for discovery research, process and analytical development, formulation, identification of process impurities, drug substance and product degradants, and characterization of other unknown molecules.

• Meet with department members across functional teams to understand their scientific challenges. Propose and develop collaborative solutions with the NMR Sciences team that are aligned with prioritized focus areas. Help align AR&D strategic efforts to drive prospective impact.

• Actively seek out, anticipate and solve diverse scientific, operational, and technical challenges.

• Contribute to an evolving strategy across the NMR landscape.

• Mentor junior scientists and create technical depth.

• Demonstrate curiosity, multitasking, prioritization, and problem-solving skills in the planning, development, and execution of novel solutions to challenges.

• Build external reputation individually and for the company.

Education Requirements:

• PhD with 8+ years, MS degree with 10+ years or BS degree and 12+ years of relevant experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Solid State NMR including application in the pharmaceutical industry, establishing new ssNMR methods, and prospectively impacting problems related to drug discovery, characterization, and development.

• Strong knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry or physical chemistry; experience in a medicinal or process chemistry environment is desirable.

• Comprehensive knowledge of NMR instrumentation, methodology and software

• Skilled in the use and maintenance of Bruker, Varian or JEOL NMR software and hardware including cryoprobes and the application of NMR automation tools.

• Technically inclined with the ability to troubleshoot complex instrument problems (e.g., automation, robotic systems, etc.)

• Evidence of creative application of NMR techniques to problems of pharmaceutical interest

• IT literate with the ability to manipulate data workflows in a networked environment (Windows and Linux OS, macros, scrips, etc.). Experience in scientific programming (Perl, Python) is desirable.

• Insatiable curiosity to learn with the end goal of understanding the scientific problem statement and designing programs, software, or solutions to meet the end users’ needs.

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

• Track record of impact in the pharmaceutical industry with relevant examples directed towards pipeline objectives.

• Vision for where ssNMR will drive strong impact across AR&D and beyond.

• Able to influence NMR strategy across a complex environment.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Familiarity with multiple analytical methods for characterization of chemical matter across all drug modalities including, but not limited to small molecule, biologics, antibodies, proteins, enzymes, vaccines.

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience related to training and mentoring junior scientists.

• Functional knowledge of computational chemistry or ability to apply molecular modeling methods to help solve NMR problems.

#AR&D

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Requisition ID:R284080