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Polymer Drug Formulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kodiak Sciences Inc.

Polymer Chemist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Our Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate Drug (ABCD) platform merges the fields of protein engineering ... Develop an automated synthesis system for high throughput formulation screening and validation.

Kodiak Sciences Inc

Polymer Chemist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Our Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate Drug (ABCD) platform merges the fields of protein engineering ... Develop an automated synthesis system for high throughput formulation screening and validation.

Kodiak Sciences Inc.

Polymer Chemist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Our Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate Drug (ABCD) platform merges the fields of protein engineering ... Develop an automated synthesis system for high throughput formulation screening and validation.

The Secant Group, LLC

Associate Scientist

Telford, PA · On-site

Execute pre-formulation studies, such as drug particle size analysis, SEM, light microscopy, milling, and sieving. * Characterize polymers and drug-polymer physiochemical interactions using DSC, TGA ...

The Secant Group

Associate Scientist

Telford, PA

Execute pre-formulation studies, such as drug particle size analysis, SEM, light microscopy, milling, and sieving. * Characterize polymers and drug-polymer physiochemical interactions using DSC, TGA ...

Solesis

Associate Scientist

Telford, PA · On-site

Execute pre-formulation studies, such as drug particle size analysis, SEM, light microscopy, milling, and sieving. * Characterize polymers and drug-polymer physiochemical interactions using DSC, TGA ...

Secant

Associate Scientist

Telford, PA · On-site

Execute pre-formulation studies, such as drug particle size analysis, SEM, light microscopy, milling, and sieving. * Characterize polymers and drug-polymer physiochemical interactions using DSC, TGA ...

Secant-Group,-LLC

Associate Scientist

Telford, PA · On-site

Execute pre-formulation studies, such as drug particle size analysis, SEM, light microscopy, milling, and sieving. * Characterize polymers and drug-polymer physiochemical interactions using DSC, TGA ...

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Polymer Drug Formulation information

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How much do polymer drug formulation jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for polymer drug formulation in the United States is $22.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is polymer drug formulation?

Polymer drug formulation refers to the process of designing and developing pharmaceutical products in which drugs are incorporated into or combined with polymers. These polymers can help control the release rate of the drug, improve its stability, enhance its solubility, or target its delivery to specific areas in the body. This field is essential in creating advanced drug delivery systems such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and microspheres. Polymer drug formulation allows for more effective and safer medications, tailored to meet specific therapeutic needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in polymer drug formulation?

Success in Polymer Drug Formulation requires a solid background in pharmaceutical sciences, polymer chemistry, and drug delivery, often supported by a degree in pharmacy, chemistry, or chemical engineering. Familiarity with analytical instruments like HPLC, DSC, and FTIR, as well as knowledge of formulation software and regulatory guidelines, is typically necessary. Strong problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this field. These competencies ensure the development of safe, effective, and innovative drug delivery systems that meet industry standards.

What are some common challenges faced when developing polymer-based drug formulations, and how can I prepare to address them in this role?

Developing polymer-based drug formulations often involves overcoming challenges such as ensuring drug stability, achieving controlled release profiles, and scaling up from laboratory to manufacturing. You may also encounter issues related to polymer compatibility with active pharmaceutical ingredients and regulatory requirements for new materials. Gaining hands-on experience with various polymer systems, staying updated on regulatory guidelines, and collaborating closely with analytical and process development teams can help you effectively navigate these challenges and contribute to successful product development.

What is the difference between Polymer Drug Formulation vs Pharmaceutical Scientist?

AspectPolymer Drug FormulationPharmaceutical Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Pharmacy, Chemistry, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Pharmacy, Chemistry, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on drug delivery systems and polymersResearch labs, manufacturing, or R&D departments in pharma companies
Industry UsageDesigning drug delivery systems using polymersDeveloping and testing new drugs and formulations

Polymer Drug Formulation specialists focus on creating drug delivery systems using polymers, while Pharmaceutical Scientists develop and test new drugs. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in laboratory settings within the pharmaceutical industry, but their core responsibilities differ in focus and application.

What other helpful pages are available for Polymer Drug Formulation?

Other pages related to Polymer Drug Formulation:

Infographic showing various Polymer Drug Formulation job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,488 per year, or $22.8 per hour.

Polymer Chemist

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Kodiak Sciences Inc.
Biotechnology Research and Development • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Kodiak Sciences Inc.external

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize polymerization processes for up to 100g scale functional polymer synthesis.

  • Support tech and process transfer of leading polymeric materials to development and CMC teams.

  • Develop an automated synthesis system for high throughput formulation screening and validation.

Job description

Kodiak Sciences is a fast-growing clinical-stage biotechnology company with a strong focus in ophthalmology. Our Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate Drug (ABCD) platform merges the fields of protein engineering, organic chemistry, and polymer chemistry and is at the core of our discovery engine.
 
We are seeking a Polymer Chemist to join our Polymer Sciences Team, Department of Chemistry. The ideal candidate will be passionate and focused on developing new technologies that challenge the current boundaries. The candidate will use a combination of highly efficient organic chemistries and modern reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) polymerization techniques to synthesize high-performance functional polymers to support technology development at Kodiak Sciences.
 
This person will join a dynamic, collaborative research environment focused on engineering a new drug delivery platform for ophthalmology applications. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience in modern RDRP polymerizations and air-free synthesis techniques. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in driving commercial innovation, GLP/GMP, designed experimentation and statistics (e.g., Six-Sigma methodologies) and/or project management tools. The successful candidate is sufficiently versed in organic chemistry techniques, including the design and synthesis of functionalized monomers and polymeric material characterization when needed.
 
Responsibilities
  • Develop and optimize polymerization processes for up to 100g scale functional polymer synthesis.
  • Support tech and process transfer of leading polymeric materials to development and CMC teams.
  • Develop an automated synthesis system for high throughput formulation screening and validation.
  • Design and execute DOEs to establish key polymer structure-property-performance correlations.
  • Maintain an awareness of technical literature and contacts to define new technical approaches, projects and areas of interest. Proactively bring in new technology from external community.
  • Develop analytical techniques to characterize new polymers and polymeric materials by using SEC-MALS, DLS, NMR, viscosity and other relevant techniques.
  • Summarize and report project results regularly with proper documentation and support intellectual property/patent filings.
  • Stakeholder relationship management and internal customer-centric, deliver impactful results and meeting project timelines, and pro-actively provide strategic inputs to R&D roadmap and future-generation product plans.
  • Follow the guidelines for laboratory safety, training procedures and records according to company and industrial standards.
Education/Experience
  • Ph.D. in polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field
  • Four or more years of relevant experience in biotech/pharma settings, or similar environments, or a relevant postdoc experience is preferred
  • Hands-on experience in large-scale batch synthesis or scale-up using modern RDRP methods.
  • Prior experience working with air- and moisture-sensitive substances using glovebox or Schlenk-techniques is required.
  • Experience with automation in polymer chemistry for high throughput formulation screening and development is a strong plus.
  • Prior polymer and materials characterization experience in SEC/GPC, NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MALDI-ToF is required; experience in additional thermomechanical property characterizations e.g., DMA, DSC, TGA, and Rheology, and advanced characterization methods including TEM, SEM, SANS, SAXS, is a plus
  • Prior experience with polymer grafting, polymer end-group modification, and/or bioconjugate techniques is highly preferred.
  • Prior experience with GMP/GLP, and other manufacturing quality and project management tools (e.g., Six-Sigma and DFMEA) is highly preferred.
  • Prior experience synthesizing polymers for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery devices, polymer bioconjugates, polymeric hydrogels, nonviral gene therapy, etc. is required.
  • Good learning agility and self-driven. Capable of setting goals, planning, leading, and executing R&D projects is a must, as demonstrated by the ability to de-risk projects and manage course corrections.
  • Safety-conscious and continuously maintaining a safe work environment as a role model lab citizen is a must.
  • Excellent sense for detailed documentation and capture of key procedures, research results, and inventions in support of IP protection and commercial innovation is a must.
  • Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills are required for timeline management and driving projects to success.