Title:  Senior Scientist, Analytical Chemistry

Onsite position with hybrid opportunities

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:

The Advanced Therapies team within West is responsible for driving the future of the company by developing innovative products designed to improve patient lives. This role is tasked with working on big ‘R’ research on behalf of the rest of the R&D organization and will keenly focus on technology fields that are adjacent and transformational to West’s core products.

We are seeking a highly collaborative candidate who is knowledgeable about analytical development and characterization of a strong and diversified novel biotherapeutic drug candidates. Applicant should have experience in relevant analytical technologies such as HPLC and LC/MS for characterization of protein therapeutics and gene/cell therapy modalities (e.g. mAbs, bispecifics, fusion proteins, ADCs, sgRNA/ siRNA/ mRNA). Successful candidate will interface internally with our scientists and engineers working on advanced therapies and advanced materials programs. The role will also be expected to build links externally with researchers, and biotech companies, leading to new technologies being brought to the attention of the West R&D Leadership.

Suitable candidates are expected to bring a depth of expertise, knowledge of current developments in both research and industry, and will make a significant contribution to the R&D Team and the future of West. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, troubleshoot and/or optimize HPLC and LC/MS methods for the characterization of mAbs, mRNA, siRNA, nanoparticles etc and/or related impurities
• Develop new assays, evaluate/introduce new analytical technology for evaluating novel materials for drug primary containers and/or drug delivery devices
• Support scientific or engineering expertise to address emerging challenges for novel gene/ cell-therapy modalities.
• Evaluate opportunities in drug delivery related analytics for advanced therapies.
• Collaborate and gain commitment with stakeholders internally within West as well as externally with research partners (postdocs, professors and thought leaders) as needed to achieve project objectives.
• Analyze and evaluate experimental results to make well-reasoned strategic recommendations that are to be disseminated internally to inform future research and development decisions at West.
• Actively track publications, identify and highlight active academics and keep our organization informed of research and industry developments in analytics for Cell & Gene Therapy applications.
• Capture project outputs in appropriate format including technical reports, presentation slides, research posters, invention disclosures or as project requires.
• Provide subject matter expertise in understanding of regulatory requirements associated with analytics in advanced therapies.
• Manage and contribute to complex research projects across several technologies and a variety of project formats, from short-term student internships, through to feasibility projects and long-term collaborations.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Education: Masters in analytical chemistry, life sciences, or equivalent scientific discipline.

• Experience: 5-8 years of experience, can include time spent either in industry or graduate school.
• Hands-on experience using mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography in a biological or biochemical field. Experience with development of methods for characterization of impurities
• Excellent written and verbal communication and ability to articulately disseminate scientific research to a variety of different audiences, from expert through to non-technical.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Education: PhD in life sciences, chemical engineering, bioengineering or equivalent scientific discipline.

• Scientific publication track record and/or conference proceedings in a chosen field of expertise.
• Existing established North American network of academic and/or industry collaborators.
• Understanding of the evolving advanced therapies landscape.
• Working knowledge related to product characterization in biotech industry.
• Maintain the ability to work well with others in a variety of situations.
• Able to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem solve, and prioritize.

Travel Requirements:

• Must be able to travel up to 5% of the time
• 5%: Up to 13 business days per year

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Light work – exerting negligible amount of force frequently to move objects. Most operations can be carried out while sitting.
• Light – exerting up to 20lbs/9kg of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force frequently constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg control requires exertion of force greater than that of sedentary work and if the worker sits most of the time, the job is considered light work
• Job-related activities require a mental skill or ability such as quick decision making, interpreting data, reading, writing and presentation of findings

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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.