Scientist 3, Analytical Development
Catalent San Diego, CA Posted 13 July 2026
PharmaBiotechClinical ResearchQuality Assuranceheorgmpcdmemacroinform
Job description
Scientist 3, Analytical Development Position Summary: Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, core hours 8am-4:30pm 100% on-site (San Diego) Catalent, Inc. is a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), and Catalent’s San Diego facility focuses on early-stage development of small molecule and peptide drug candidates from the bench to the clinic. This facility offers an array of services that support oral and injectable dosage forms that include preformulation testing, formulation and analytical development, cGMP manufacturing and clinical packaging, labeling, and worldwide distribution. Our San Diego location is the home of our Catalent Spray Drying technologies with downstream roller compaction capabilities to support the needs of our client’s most challenging compounds. The Scientist 3 in our Analytical Development group will lead analytical method development projects for small molecule, peptide, and amorphous drug products, with a strong focus on HPLC/UPLC stability-indicating methods, while ensuring GMP compliance and supporting analytical strategy, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives. The role combines hands-on laboratory work with potential supervision and mentoring responsibilities, as well as collaboration with QA/QC, customers, and cross-functional teams. The Role: Develop stability-indicating methods for peptide and small molecule API, intermediates, and drug products from scratch. Develops cleaning verification methods. Perform and train others on a variety of analytical techniques including, but not necessarily limited to: analytical balances, pH meters, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC/UPLC), UV/Vis spectroscopy, GC, USP dissolution testing apparatus, moisture analysis by Karl Fischer, disintegration, Pion µdiss, DSC, TGA, PSD, PXRD, SEM, hardness, and friability testing. Troubleshoot and optimize analytical methods for characterization of drug products and intermediates Perform qualification studies to determine if methods are suitable for transfer to Quality Control. Communicate results both internally and externally through oral and written updates and formal reports as necessary. Lead discussions with clients on technical topics relating to their project. Supervisor will not need to attend most client meetings. Exercise technical discretion and critical thinking in the design, execution and interpretation of experiments independently with minimal supervisor assistance. Data interpretation should be conducted independently. Assist in the creation and/or revision of new department-wide and site-wide procedures and company SOPs. Clear and accurate record keeping in laboratory notebooks and secondary review of other colleagues’ work for scientific accuracy and compliance. Collaboration with other departments to troubleshoot technical issues. Individuals will stay abreast of current scientific technologies to maintain the state of the art nature of Catalent’s services. Individuals will proactively communicate strategy to clients and work with their supervisor or BD to generate new proposals or change orders, as appropriate. Individuals will support the business aspects of their position by working with their supervisor to perform billing communication for all work proposals under their supervision. Opportunity to hire, train and supervise 1-2 full time analytical group members and lab assistants Other duties as assigned. The Candidate: 4 year degree in a physical, chemical, biological, or pharmaceutical science required BS with 4+ years of experience required in analytical development. MS with 3+ years of experience required in analytical development. PhD with 1+ years of experience required in analytical development. Physical Requirements: Individual needs to be accessible to lab and office staff and able to use required office equipment. Specific vision requirements include reading of written documents and use of computer monitor screen frequently Pay: The anticipated salary range for this role in California is $115,000 to $125,000 annually. The final salary offered to a successful candidate may vary, and will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to: the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, skillset, education, business needs, etc. Catalent is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other states. Why you should join Catalent: Awesome employee activities: Movie Day, Monthly Birthday Celebrations, Friday Bagel Breakfast, On-site Fitness Center with machines, Sponsored Sports Teams, and several other company-sponsored events that encourages positive employee comradery, which contributes to effectively building positive employee relationships, overall creating a positive work environment. Environmentally friendly green initiatives with on-site practices as well as regularly participating in Beach Clean-up activities for community engagement. Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process. Potential for career growth on an expanding team within an organization dedicated to preserving and bettering lives. Several Employee Resource Groups focusing on Diversity and Inclusion. Competitive salary with bonus potential. Generous 401K match and Paid Time Off accrual. Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment. 152 hours of PTO + 10 paid holidays. Positive and fast-paced working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative and dynamic. Tuition Reimbursement – Let us help you finish your degree or earn a new one! WellHub program to promote overall physical wellness. Perkspot - offers exclusive or private discounts from approximately 900+ merchants in a wide array of categories. Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference. personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work. Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities. Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com . This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then
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