Ph.D. in Chemistry or equivalent experience (Master's with 10+ years or Bachelor's with 12+ years).
Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology process development and drug substance manufacturing.
Knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and regulatory requirements.
Experience reviewing technical documentation like master batch records and investigations.
Ability to analyze process data and troubleshoot technical issues.
Strong communication skills for conveying technical information clearly.
Proven problem-solving and organizational skills with cross-functional collaboration experience.
Responsibilities
Serve as the technical lead for externally manufactured drug substance programs.
Perform detailed technical reviews of batch records and documentation.
Track and trend key process parameters throughout the product lifecycle.
Monitor trends and collaborate with teams to implement process improvements.
Lead investigations into manufacturing deviations and support corrective actions.
Coordinate internal manufacturing activities to align with external vendor requirements.
Act as the primary technical contact for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues.
Benefits
Competitive salary and excellent benefits package.
Full Job Description
The Position
This position is part of the Process Chemistry function within Developmental Chemistry and provides technical oversight and lifecycle management for drug substance candidates manufactured by external contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). The Scientist serves as the technical lead for externally manufactured drug substance batches and provides technical stewardship responsible for tech-transfer, monitoring, trending, and communicating critical batch data to support process improvements. The role collaborates closely with Analytical Development, Discovery, Regulatory, Quality and Manufacturing. The successful candidate will have a strong GMP background and experience with active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing. Experience providing technical guidance of downstream process chemistry and manufacturing support for antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) or oligonucleotides is preferred.
This position is being hired at a Scientist III level, but depending on candidates education and experience may be hired at Scientist II.
Responsibilities
Serves as the technical lead for one or more externally manufactured programs and provides technical stewardship throughout the product lifecycle.
Performs detailed technical reviews of pre-production master batch records, executed batch records, and batch-disposition documentation.
Tracks and trends key process parameters throughout the product lifecycle, including mass balance, in-process testing (IPC), critical impurities, critical quality attributes (CQAs), and batch variability.
Monitors and communicates trends to Process Team members and partners with the team to define and implement improvements that enhance batch consistency, quality, and yield.
Leads root-cause investigations related to manufacturing deviations, batch failures, and technical issues, and supports the implementation of appropriate corrective actions.
Coordinates internal oligonucleotide manufacturing activities to ensure batch supply aligns with external vendor requirements for conjugation.
Partners with the Process Development team during the technical transfer of new programs to external vendors to ensure effective transfer of process knowledge.
Acts as the primary technical point of contact for externally manufactured batches, troubleshoot deviations and out-of-specification (OOS) results, and partners with Process Development to resolve technical issues.
Execute scale-up conjugations in the process development lab to support internal GLP batches.
Collaborates with other process development team members and executes bench scale reactions on an as needed basis.
Performs all job responsibilities in accordance with safety and regulatory expectations, including current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Ph.D. in Chemistry with relevant industry experience; or master's degree in chemistry with 10+ years relevant industry experience; or bachelor's degree in chemistry with 12+ years relevant industry experience.
Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology process development, drug substance manufacturing, or a related technical function.
Working knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and applicable pharmaceutical regulatory requirements.
Experience reviewing technical or GMP documentation, such as master batch records, executed batch records, development reports, deviations, or investigations.
Demonstrated ability to analyze process data, identify trends, troubleshoot technical issues, and support root-cause investigations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate technical information.
Strong problem-solving, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred
Experience working with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and/or supporting oligonucleotide or antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate (AOC) development or manufacturing.
Experience in the manufacture or development of antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) or oligonucleotides.
Wisconsin pay range
$110,000-$120,000 USD
Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.
Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.
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About Arrowhead Research
Arrowhead Research is a biotechnology company that develops RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Pasadena, California. Arrowhead's RNAi technology targets specific genes to silence their expression, which can be used to treat a variety of diseases. The company's pipeline includes treatments for liver disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Arrowhead has partnerships with pharmaceutical companies such as Amgen and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The company has received FDA approval for some of its products and is conducting clinical trials for others.