Title:  Principal Research Scientist, R&D, Material Drug Interactions

Hybrid position in Exton/Radnor, PA.

Who We Are:-

Working at West means having an opportunity to work by the side of our patients and customers, our global team members and the communities in which we operate – which all help contribute to a Healthier World.

At West, we are by the side of patients. The work we do impacts patients’ lives each and every day – our products are a critical part of healthcare delivery and we are proud of the role we play to improve patient health. We work by the side of our team members. We come together as one global team to deliver for our customers and help them address their challenges. We are a diverse, close-knit community of professionals, where everyone has a voice and opportunity to learn and grow through mutual trust and respect. With a 95 year plus history, we have a track record for success, which includes reported sales of $2.14B in 2020. We serve by the side of our community. Giving back is in our DNA—our team members across more than 50 sites globally are involved with hundreds of charities that have special meaning to them through our West Without Borders team member-led giving program.

Job Summary:

In this role, you will strengthen the know how in the field of interactions of components with drug products by characterizing chemical and physical interactions of materials with existing and potential future drug products and/or families. The qualified candidate will define, plan, execute, and evaluate internal studies of existing and new component systems, their interaction with drug products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Initiate, plan, execute and evaluate material extractable, leachable and simulation studies. Understand the science of the extractables including their interactions, origin, and basic toxicological impact.
• Initiate, design and lead projects to characterize chemical and physical interactions of materials (eg. elastomeric materials, coatings) that are in direct and indirect contact with existing and potential future drug products and/or drug families. Beside the analytical testing and scientific understanding, this also includes a basic toxicological assessment.
• Support the development of new materials with regards to their potential to interact with individual pharmaceutical drug families
• Analyze and evaluate experimental results to define a strategy for the development of new materials and/or coatings.
• Plan, execute and evaluate internal studies of existing and new materials, their interaction with drug products and work with a team of material scientist to find alternative material solutions
• Initiate, execute and evaluate internal studies to understand sorption phenomena of active pharmaceutical ingredient and their excipients with specific components
• Communicate findings to an international and cross functional team
• Interpret and recommend analytical test method to characterize material drug interactions
• Designs appropriate plans to meet complex research project goals within the required timeline and budget

Basic Qualifications: 

• Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or related discipline
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience including a proven experience in characterization of drug products and their interaction with materials

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expert in independently analyzing chemical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients using a broad range of analytical techniques
• Strong expertise in analytical methods used for characterization of polymers, drug components and their intermediates,
• Understanding of polymer chemistry
• Able to be aware of all relevant standard operating procedures as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description
• Support and contribute to Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target
• Able to comply with the company’s safety policy at all times
  • List any safety requirements applicable to role within your country
• Able to comply with the company’s quality policy at all times.
  • List any quality requirements applicable to role within your country

Travel Requirements:

• Must be able to travel up to 10 % of the time

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Excellent verbal & written communications skills
• Must be highly motivated and capable of working in a multidisciplinary, international team environment with scientists and external collaboration 

West is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.  If you have a special need that requires accommodation in order to apply to West, please send an email to Apply.Accommodation@westpharma.com.  Where permitted by law, an offer of employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of background screening and/or a pre-employment drug screening.