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Scientist III, Injectable Drug Product Development

AstraZeneca (Alexion)

Cambridge MA – 100 Binney Street, USonsite

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About this role

This is what you will do:  

The Scientist III will be a key member of the Injectable Drug Product Development (IDPD) team, responsible for driving  end-to-end drug product development —from candidate selection through commercial validation and regulatory filing—for parenteral/injectable biologic products. This role demands deep   expertise   in  formulation development, process development, process engineering, scale-up modeling, and technology transfer ,   leveraging   first-principles engineering, computational modeling, and simulation tools to deliver robust, scalable drug products.  

You will apply strong process engineering fundamentals to design, model,   optimize , and scale drug product manufacturing processes (e.g., mixing, filtration, fill/finish unit operations, hold steps, viscosity management). You will employ process modeling and simulation approaches (e.g., CFD, heat/mass transfer models, DoE-driven process models) to predict scale-dependent behavior, de-risk manufacturing, and support technology transfer to internal and external manufacturing sites.  

You will provide scientific leadership for phase-appropriate formulation development of diverse biologic modalities—including monoclonal antibodies ( mAbs ), enzymes, enzyme fusion proteins, peptides, and AAV gene therapies—informed by biophysical and biochemical characterization data. You will integrate complex datasets to translate findings into formulation compositions, process parameters, control strategies, technical reports, and regulatory filings.  

This position interacts regularly with cross-functional staff from Analytical Sciences & Quality Control, Drug Substance Process Development, Device Development, Manufacturing Technical Services, Quality Assurance, and CMC Regulatory Affairs.  

You will   be responsible for :  

• End-to-End Drug Product Development  — Leading formulation development, process development, and technology transfer activities across the full product lifecycle (candidate selection → clinical supply → commercial   validation → regulatory filing), translating program goals into experimental plans, decision criteria, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies.  

• Process Engineering & Scale-Up  — Designing, optimizing, and scaling drug product unit operations (compounding/mixing, sterile filtration, fill/finish, freeze–thaw, hold steps, viscosity management) using engineering fundamentals, dimensional analysis, and scale-up correlations; conducting robustness and characterization studies to define process design space and critical process parameters.  

• Process Modeling & Simulation  — Applying computational tools and simulation approaches (e.g., CFD, mechanistic/empirical process models, heat and mass transfer calculations, DoE-based predictive models) to inform process design, predict scale-dependent effects, support equipment selection, and accelerate development timelines.  

• Technology Transfer  — Leading or supporting tech transfer of drug product processes to internal and external (CDMO) manufacturing sites; authoring process descriptions, batch record inputs, and process validation strategies; troubleshooting manufacturing issues and providing on-site support as needed.  

• Formulation Development  — Driving phase-appropriate formulation screening, optimization, and   selection   for injectable biologics using rational design principles informed by biophysical characterization, stability data, and structure–function relationships.  

• Biophysical & Analytical Characterization  — Designing and executing laboratory studies using advanced biophysical/analytical methods (e.g., DSC,   nanoDSF , CD, fluorescence spectroscopy, SEC-MALS, DLS, AUC, CE-SDS/ cIEF , subvisible particle analysis, rheology, viscosity profiling) to support formulation and process decisions;   firsthand   laboratory work is required.  

• Data Integration & Control Strategy  — Integrating complex datasets to   establish   structure–function relationships, degradation pathways, and mechanism-informed models; translating insights into robust formulations, control strategies, and phase-appropriate specifications.  

• Regulatory & Documentation  — Authoring protocols, technical reports, and contributing to CMC sections of regulatory submissions (e.g., IND/IMPD, BLA/MAA), including process descriptions, comparability assessments, and responses to regulatory queries.  

• Cross-Functional Collaboration  — Partnering with Analytical Sciences & QC, Drug Substance Process Development, Device Development, Manufacturing Technical Services, Quality Assurance, and CMC Regulatory Affairs to align development plans and ensure on-time program delivery.  

• Team Leadership  — Managing and mentoring junior team members in matrix teams; reviewing study designs and data; promoting experimental rigor and documentation excellence.  

• Communication & Initiative  — Presenting program status, risks, and recommendations clearly to senior management and cross-functional teams; taking initiative to solve scientific and operational challenges.  

• Safety & Laboratory Operations  — Operating primarily in a laboratory environment and   complying with   all safety procedures; with or without accommodation, able to lift/carry 15/30 pounds (unassisted/ assisted ) and work   around biological, infectious, and hazardous materials while   maintaining   a safe, orderly workspace.  

You will need to have:  

• Education  — PhD in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a relevant field with  5+ years  of industry experience; or MS with  14+ years  or BS with  15+ years  of relevant experience.  

• End-to-End Drug Product Development Experience  — Demonstrated   history   of leading or significantly contributing to injectable/parenteral biologic drug product development across the full lifecycle: formulation development, process development, and technology transfer to manufacturing. Thi

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