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Principal Scientist Drug Formulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amgen SA

Process Development Principal Scientist What you will do Let's do this. Let's change the world. In ... The candidate will integrate formulation, analytical, stability, and process data to guide product ...

Loyal

Senior Principal Scientist, Drug Substance

$175K - $230K/yr

About the role Loyal is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist, Drug Substance to serve as the ... Partner with drug product development to translate drug substance CQAs into formulation design ...

Loyal

Senior Principal Scientist, Drug Substance

$175K - $230K/yr

About the role Loyal is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist, Drug Substance to serve as the ... Partner with drug product development to translate drug substance CQAs into formulation design ...

Celcuity Inc.

You will focus on leading formulation and process development work supporting Celcuity's drug product development and product lifecycle management. The Sr./Principal Scientist role will join a ...

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Principal Scientist Drug Formulation information

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How much do principal scientist drug formulation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal scientist drug formulation in the United States is $144,009.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $169,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a principal scientist drug formulation do?

A Principal Scientist in Drug Formulation leads the development and optimization of pharmaceutical formulations to ensure drugs are safe, effective, and stable. They design experiments, oversee laboratory work, and collaborate with cross-functional teams such as chemistry, engineering, and regulatory affairs. Their responsibilities also include troubleshooting formulation issues, scaling up production processes, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Principal Scientists often mentor junior staff and contribute to strategic decisions in drug development projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal scientist drug formulation?

To excel as a Principal Scientist in Drug Formulation, you need advanced knowledge in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, or related fields—often with a PhD—and substantial experience in drug delivery and formulation development. Expertise in analytical instrumentation, formulation software, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required, along with familiarity with GMP and ICH guidelines. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills distinguish top performers, enabling them to manage teams and collaborate across disciplines. These skills ensure the successful design and optimization of drug formulations that meet safety, efficacy, and regulatory standards.

What are some typical challenges a principal scientist drug formulation faces when leading cross-functional projects?

Principal Scientists in Drug Formulation often encounter challenges such as balancing the scientific rigor of formulation development with project timelines and budget constraints. Coordinating efforts between teams—such as analytical chemistry, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs—requires strong communication and project management skills. Additionally, adapting to evolving regulatory requirements and ensuring scalability from laboratory to production can be complex. Successfully navigating these challenges is critical for advancing drug candidates efficiently through the development pipeline.

What is the difference between Principal Scientist Drug Formulation vs Senior Scientist Drug Formulation?

AspectPrincipal Scientist Drug FormulationSenior Scientist Drug Formulation
CredentialsAdvanced degree (PhD or equivalent), extensive experienceMaster's or PhD, significant industry experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, project oversight, cross-functional collaborationHands-on research, experimental design, data analysis
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, R&D divisionsResearch labs, development teams within pharma
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior roles, leadership scopeTechnical responsibilities, research focus

The Principal Scientist Drug Formulation typically holds a senior, leadership-oriented position with strategic responsibilities, while the Senior Scientist Drug Formulation focuses more on technical research and experimental work. Both roles require strong scientific credentials and industry experience, but the principal role emphasizes project management and cross-team coordination.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Scientist Drug Formulation jobs?

For Principal Scientist Drug Formulation jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Principal Scientist Drug Formulation job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $144,009 per year, or $69.2 per hour.

Associate Scientist - Drug Formulation

Bridgewater, MA • On-site

Scorpion Therapeutics
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Scorpion Therapeuticsexternal

$103K - $131K/yr

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Associate Scientist, Drug FormulationWhat You’ll Do
  • Develop, optimize, and characterize nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems for RNA/gene-based therapeutics.
  • Work on formulation and characterization of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and other NP delivery systems.
  • Design and execute formulation studies, including nucleic-acid encapsulation, analytical testing, and stability evaluations.
  • Perform physicochemical characterization (e.g., size, PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, release kinetics).
  • Use analytical methods such as DLS, NTA, UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEC, SDS-PAGE, HPLC, and fluorescence-based assays.
  • Support protein bioconjugate work (design/synthesis/purification) and evaluate conjugates (stability, efficiency, binding).
  • Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose data-driven solutions.
  • Conduct data/statistical analysis (Excel, GraphPad Prism); maintain electronic notebook records and write internal technical reports.
Qualifications
  • BS/MS in Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
  • 2+ years of experience.
  • Hands-on experience with nanoparticle-based formulation development and analytical characterization.
Nice to Have
  • Nucleic-acid delivery experience (lipid/polymeric); nucleic-acid encapsulation techniques.
  • Bioconjugate/targeted delivery experience.
  • Stability testing, release profiling, formulation optimization.
  • Independent experimental design/execution and presentation.
Where You’ll Work / Travel
  • Bridgewater, NJ; full-time, in-person. Minimal travel.
Pay Range
  • $103,000.00–131,000.00 annual.
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