Scientist III/Scientist IV, NMR - United States Pharmacopeia

Description

Who is USP?

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) USP is an independent scientific organization that collaborates with the world's top experts in health and science to develop quality standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients. USP's fundamental belief that Equity = Excellence manifests in our core value of Passion for Quality through our more than 1,100 talented professionals across five global locations to deliver the mission to strengthen the supply of safe, quality medicines and supplements worldwide.

Brief Job Overview

This is a hands-on, analyst position in USPs NMR Laboratory. The scientist will be an integral member of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) team and will assist in the execution of structural elucidation of reference materials by NMR and Circular Dichroism (CD) instruments including designing and executing experiments supporting reference materials evaluations, product investigations and other relevant programs in the laboratory. This work includes development, execution and/or validation of complex analytical procedures supporting the identity, strength, and purity of the evaluated material. Reference materials encompass a diverse group including small molecules, excipients, oligosaccharides, vitamins, complex mixtures, and polymers, providing a broad range of experience for the scientist in this position. Scientist must have mastered many common NMR and CD techniques (preferably) with the laboratory and be able to contribute their own observations and input to difficult projects. The successful candidate can direct, troubleshoot, and share insights on complex projects, while drawing independent conclusions about the results and determining how to proceed with the project. The successful candidate demonstrates the ability to lead projects to completion with a high degree of scientific expertise.

How will YOU create impact here at USP?

Scientist III/IV:

About 70% of the incumbent work is expected to be at the bench level. Including actively performing testing at the bench, taking responsibility for interpreting, report writing, as well as ensuring the project is completed in a timely manner. Provides hands-on NMR sample preparation, multinuclear as well as 2D NMR data acquisition and processing using 600 MHz, 500 MHz, and 400 MHz spectrometers equipped with cryoprobes. Focuses on assessing data interpretation and analyzing the structures of small molecules, excipients, and polymers in support of the USP catalogue.

Works independently and may help others to develop and validate methodologies for the analysis of drug substances, drug products, dietary substances, excipients, and other relevant products.

Demonstrates solid scientific approach to analysis in the laboratory.

Troubleshoots difficult/unusual lab problems independently; collaboratively assists others with troubleshooting.

Directs the planning of research and development required for all projects; reviews literature; acts as a resource to others in the planning of projects and analysis of results.

Works with the other team members to develop effective testing plans and experimental designs.

About 5% of the incumbent work would be related to the management of NMR instruments: cryogen filling and calibration, advising the metrology personnel, and/or assisting vendor technicians, etc.

About 5% of the incumbent work may consist of training other instrument users, mentoring staff in the proper use of the NMR instruments, reviewing reports, and providing technical support within the organization when needed.

About 10% of the incumbent work may be related to the experimental process and related documentation (review and revising of Standard Operating Procedures, proposing process improvements, etc.) and peer reviewed manuscripts submissions of scientific work.

About 10% of the incumbent work may consist of adopting techniques particularly Circular Dichroism (CD) method development and training activities on work relating to reference materials and CRAFT software applications of NMR data.

Who USP is Looking For?

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of our mission, commitment to excellence through inclusive and equitable behaviors and practices, ability to quickly build credibility with stakeholders, along with the following competencies and experience:

Scientist III:

Ph.D. in Polymer chemistry or Natural products isolation and structural elucidation related fields involved in NMR based thesis development with either graduate or postdoctoral research or professional (0-5 years) exclusive experience polymer end group analysis, chain length and molecular weight determinations, excipient materials, and/or in natural products structural characterization and conformational analysis, testing primarily using solution NMR spectroscopy.

Experience working in the pharmaceutical industry and/or academia strongly preferred. Working knowledge of methods and procedures, and expertise in calibrating and operating NMR equipment (Bruker/ JEOL) required.

Must have demonstrated success in utilizing modern methods of NMR techniques for chemical structure characterizations. Relevant experience in preparation of organic samples for NMR data collection, as well as data interpretation as applied to structural verification and confirmation. Ability to maneuver and handle projects between two instrumental platforms (Bruker and JEOL) is essential. Takes personal responsibility to ensure work is delivered on time and is the highest possible quality with minimal supervision. Skill to anticipate, troubleshoot and solve technical problems. Ability to implement novel NMR methods from literature is highly desirable.

Strong communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.

Scientist IV:

Ph.D. in Polymer chemistry or Natural Products sciences related fields involved in NMR based thesis development with professional (8-10years) experience polymer end group analysis, chain length and molecular weight determinations, excipient materials and/or natural products stereochemical and conformational analysis, and structural elucidations testing primarily using solution NMR spectroscopy.

Demonstrated skills to troubleshoot NMR instruments and handle multiple projects independently.

Experience working in the pharmaceutical industry and/or academia strongly preferred. Working knowledge of methods and procedures, and expertise in calibrating and operating NMR equipment (Bruker/ JEOL) required.

Must have demonstrated success in utilizing modern methods of NMR techniques for chemical structure characterizations. Relevant experience in preparation of organic and polymer samples for NMR data collection, as well as data interpretation as applied to structural verification and confirmation. Ability to maneuver and handle projects between two instrumental platforms (Bruker and JEOL) is essential. Takes personal responsibility to ensure work is delivered on time and is the highest possible quality independently. Skill to anticipate, troubleshoot and solve technical problems. Ability to implement novel NMR methods from literature is required.

Demonstrated expertise through scientific publications.

Additional Desired Preferences:

Use additional software such as ACD, Mnova, and CRAFT, for NMR data analyses.

Experience with Circular Dichroism applications for small molecules.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Benefits

USP provides you with the benefits you need to protect yourself and your family today and tomorrow. From company-paid time off, comprehensive healthcare options to retirement savings, you can have peace of mind that your personal and financial wellbeing is protected.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (will apply to the selected candidate(s) hired):

As a condition of employment with the United States Pharmacopeial Convention's (USP) duty to provide and maintain a workplace free of known hazards, all employees and contingent staff hired after July 1st, 2021, must be fully vaccinated unless a reasonable accommodation is approved. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

USP is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer (EEOE) and affirmative action employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in all aspects of our workfrom the standards we make to the partnerships and conversations we cultivate. An environment where every employee feels fully empowered and valued irrespective of, but not limited to, personality, race, ethnicity, physical and mental abilities, education, religion, gender identity and expression, life experience, sexual orientation, country of origin, regional differences, work experience, and family status. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.

Note: USP does not accept unsolicited resumes from 3rd party recruitment agencies and is not responsible for fees from recruiters or other agencies except under specific written agreement with USP.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractors legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Job Category Chemistry & Scientific Standards

Job Type Full-Time