R&D Formulation Technician

Join an R&D toxicology team supporting the development of future products and the reformulation of current products. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career scientist with a Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related scientific background who is detail-oriented, eager to learn, and comfortable working in a hands-on laboratory environment.

• Pay: $25-30/hr
• Schedule: 8-hour schedule with start/end times selected within a 6:00 AM-6:00 PM window
• Flexibility: Occasional schedule changes or overtime may be required based on study needs. Studies may need to begin early, so flexibility to support the team when needed is important.
• Location: Newark, Delaware
• Environment: This position works inside a vivarium but does not involve handling research animals.

As a Formulation Technician, you'll support scientists with day-to-day formulation activities for in vivo and in vitro toxicology studies. You'll work with a variety of test substances and help determine how to prepare formulations that are accurate, homogeneous, and stable.

• Formulation Development: Prepare formulations for future products and reformulations of existing products used in research studies.
• Rodent Diet Formulations: Prepare test substances in rodent diets and other appropriate formulations, ensuring target concentrations are achieved and formulations are homogeneous and stable.
• Wet Chemistry: Perform hands-on laboratory techniques including pH measurement, weighing, pipetting, serial dilutions, and preparation of solutions and suspensions.
• Problem Solving: Apply chemistry principles to formulation challenges—for example, determining what to do when a test substance does not dissolve in the intended vehicle or when a suspension is not sufficiently homogeneous.
• Pipetting: Perform frequent, accuracy-critical pipetting using electronic pipettes, repeaters, and other laboratory equipment.
• Sample & Test Substance Management: Receive, track, store, distribute, and dispose of test substances in accordance with SOPs, GLPs, safety requirements, and study needs.
• Documentation: Prepare formulation sheets, maintain laboratory notebooks, record raw data, and document formulation activities accurately and promptly.
• Procedures & Compliance: Follow established formulation, dosing, diet preparation, GLP, SOP, and safety procedures.
• Collaboration: Work closely with scientists, technicians, and other members of the R&D team while adapting to changing study priorities.
• Training &
  
  Qualification:
  
  Complete hands-on training and practice preparations and demonstrate proficiency before being signed off on specific formulation skills.

We're looking for candidates who bring the following:

• Education: BS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field preferred. Biology candidates with a Chemistry minor or demonstrated interest in developing chemistry skills will also be considered.
• Experience: Open to recent graduates with no professional laboratory experience. Candidates with an Associate degree and relevant experience or a high school diploma with significant relevant laboratory experience may also be considered.
• Chemistry Foundation: Understanding of basic chemistry principles and an interest in applying them to real-world formulation challenges.
• Wet Chemistry: Familiarity with laboratory techniques such as pH measurement, solution preparation, weighing, and dilution.
• Pipetting: Comfortable performing precise, repetitive pipetting and willing to learn electronic pipettes and repeater systems.
• Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy, consistency, documentation, and following established procedures.
• Learning Mindset: Willingness and enthusiasm to learn new techniques, procedures, equipment, and scientific concepts.
• Physical Requirements: Comfortable regularly handling rodent-diet bags weighing approximately 25-30 lbs (15 kg).
• Vivarium Environment: Comfortable working in a vivarium environment and following required entry procedures, including showering before entering the vivarium.

• Basic chemistry or biochemistry principles.
• Wet chemistry and pH techniques.
• Accurate, high-volume pipetting.
• Solution preparation and serial dilution.
• Formulation and suspension preparation.
• Basic understanding of concentration calculations and algebra.
• Ability to recognize and troubleshoot formulation issues.
• Accurate laboratory documentation and data recording.
• Ability to follow SOPs, GLPs, safety procedures, and study-specific…