Who we are:

Secant Group, located in the Philadelphia area, provides biomedical, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and technical components to industry partners for use in commercialized finished medical devices, drug products, and single-use solutions for cell and gene therapy. The Translational Product Development team serves as the development arm of Secant R&D, and our mission is to bring novel biomaterial solutions to these markets through diverse and innovative development projects with partners.

As a Scientist, you will formulate and prototype drug-loaded polymer implants for the Advanced Biomaterials Development team, by designing and conducting experiments, leveraging your knowledge of biomaterial drug delivery, and contributing ideas and solutions. You will study drug-polymer interactions and make fabrication process improvements for controlled release combination devices, such as parenteral and ocular long-acting implantables. You will have the opportunity to work with teams comprised of multi-disciplinary scientists and non-scientists to effectively coordinate internal efforts and customer requests, while progressing multiple projects through to completion quickly. This position provides you with ample opportunities to keep abreast of innovative and novel scientific developments in the pharmaceutical industry by presenting your own work at meetings, attending conferences, reading relevant literature, contributing to intellectual property, and trialing your ideas in the lab.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and characterize drug-loaded polymer formulations, designed for long-acting implantables
• Formulate various hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs in polymers, to support customer projects and internal investigations
• Fabricate drug-loaded polymer prototypes, specifically using manufacturing techniques suitable for polyurethane and other reactive thermoset chemistries, such as casting, molding, and coating
• Mix and mold drug-loaded polymer formulations into various shapes to form implants, ocular micro-inserts, and oral gastroretentive devices
• Develop mixing and molding strategies specific to each formulation that meet project requirements
• Characterize drug-polymer miscibility and physiochemical interactions between polymers and various drugs, using DSC, TGA, rheometry
• Characterize prototypes using mechanical testing and physical deployment testing
• Analyze formulations using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to determine drug-polymer mixing and distribution
• Perform and optimize drug extraction experiments using polymer solvent swelling to determine mixing efficiency, encapsulated drug loading, and content uniformity
• Perform dissolution studies and analyze dissolution media to determine drug release profiles from polymer dosage forms
• Use HPLC to quantify drug concentration in solutions and perform HPLC sample preparation
• Develop predictive in vitro-in vivo correlations between dissolution data and pre-clinical pharmacokinetic data gathered from animal studies
• Select, design, and execute experiments, based on interpretation of previous results and understanding of known theory
• Proactively seek to learn concepts, troubleshoot hurdles, and search literature for answers
• Make effective decisions to achieve desired outcomes and meet timelines
• Anticipate/recognize potential problems with equipment and/or supplies, and initiate action to solve or prevent problems
• Collaborate with other teams within R&D and across the organization to achieve project goals

Qualifications:

• Must have experience with biodegradable polymers, and ideally also polyurethanes
• Must have experience researching biomaterials for sustained or controlled release
• Must have experience characterizing polymers using analytical and mechanical methods
• Strong understanding and hands-on experience with various polymer processing techniques, including formulation, mixing, extrusion, dispersions, molding, coatings
• Solid understanding of mechanical testing (MTS, Instron), DSC, TGA, FTIR, SEM, HPLC, Raman, and Rheometry
• Exposure to excipients and active pharmaceutical ingredients (small molecule, biologics)
• Thorough experimental technique and attention to detail
• Demonstrated problem solving ability
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• For Scientist II: PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, or a related discipline with 0-2 years experience, OR MS in chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, or a related discipline with 4-6 years experience, OR BS in chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, or a related discipline with 6-8 years experience
• For Scientist I: MS in chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, or a related discipline with 2 years experience, OR BS in chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, or a related discipline with 4 years experience

Work Environment:

• Daily exposure to a chemical lab environment, eye protection, safety footwear and additional PPE, as required.
• Occasional exposure to manufacturing environment and environmentally controlled rooms. Gowning is required to work in these rooms.
• Must follow company Safety Policy and Chemical Hygiene plan
• Adheres to GMP/QSR requirements and follows applicable QMS documentation (e.g., SOP’s, Work Instructions) to successfully accomplish job requirements
• Follows Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policies and procedures, including wearing hearing protection, safety shoes, gloves, eye protection as required
• Follows gowning procedures in designated areas.
• May be required to be fit for a respirator and adhere to the Respiratory Practice Program, depending on specific chemical handling
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision

Why join us:

• Health Insurance: Medical with Rx plan / Dental / Vision
• 401k (retirement savings) with excellent company match
• Profit Sharing Plan
• Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Year-End Incentive Plan
• Paid Time off
• Holiday Pay

Secant Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We maintain a commitment to providing equal access to employment. We value diversity and encourage applications from all genders, members of minority groups, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, and disabled individuals.

Secant Group is a drug-free workplace. All offers of employment are contingent on passing a drug screen as well as a background investigation (including a criminal courts history, driving record report if applicable, and social security name and number verification). The company provides reasonable accommodations for disabilities.

Secant Group participates in E-Verify as appropriate in accordance with company guidelines and federal or state law. This includes providing the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Secant Group’s Telford, PA, location is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not permitted in or around the building, including in vehicles.