Scientist, Formulation Development and Modeling

Overview

Job Description

Alkermes is seeking a highly motivated and talented individual to join the Material Characterization and Modeling group within the Formulation Development department to support robust drug product development and lead process modeling efforts. This role presents a unique opportunity to apply a blend of experimentation and modeling methodologies to address pharmaceutical formulation development challenges. You will have a chance to contribute to a variety of projects spanning from the early to late stages of clinical development and learn various pharmaceutical unit operations. Candidates should have a strong track record and experience in material-sparing powder characterization techniques and process modeling. Familiarity with AI/ML tools and their application in pharmaceutical development is a plus.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct comprehensive material characterization experiments on pharmaceutical materials including active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, and final drug product.
• Utilize a variety of material characterization techniques to assess material properties, such as powder flow, compaction, etc.
• Develop computational models (mechanistic, statistical, or hybrid) to support process optimization efforts for manufacturing high-quality drug substances and drug products.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify new opportunities for using material knowledge and process modeling to proactively solve project challenges.
• Combine the knowledge generated from the material characterization experiments and process modeling to provide science-based and data-informed decisions.
• Create audience-specific presentations and technical reports and communicate the results to stakeholders.
• Stay up to date on advancements in the field of material characterization and process modeling. Work towards scientific excellence by performing cutting-edge research and presenting/publishing on external scientific platforms.
• Identify opportunities to utilize AI/ML methodologies to expedite formulation development.
  
  

Qualifications

Desired Technical Skills

• Proficiency in material-sparing powder characterization techniques, including ring shear tester, powder rheometer, compaction simulator, etc.
• Proficiency in coupling powder mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer principles to solve multi-faceted formulation and process-related problems.
• Expertise in one or more modeling techniques, including DEM, CFD, FEM, or PBM.
• Expertise in programming and statistical analysis skills using Python, MATLAB, C , or JMP.
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical formulation development process.
  
  

Personal Skills

• Ability to collaborate and work in a team environment.
• Excellent communication and writing skills, with an ability to prepare audience-specific presentations and write technical reports.
• Ability to critically think to assess a problem and propose a scientific plan to come up with a solution.
  
  

Education

Minimum Education and Experience

• Ph.D. and 0-3 years’ relevant experience; M.S. and 6 years’ relevant experience; B.S. and 10 years’ with relevant experience in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, Pharmaceutics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency with a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0.
• At least 2 years of experience in modeling pharmaceutical processes.
• Prior industrial experience in pharmaceutical material characterization techniques and formulation development.
  
  

About Us

Alkermes plc is a global biopharmaceutical company that seeks to develop innovative medicines in the field of neuroscience. The company has a portfolio of proprietary commercial products for the treatment of alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and a pipeline of clinical and preclinical candidates in development for neurological disorders. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes has a research and development center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, please visit Alkermes’ website at www.alkermes.com .

Alkermes, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service or any other class protected by state or federal law. Alkermes also complies with all work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Alkermes is an E-Verify employer.