Associate, R&D

Associate, R&D Formulation

The Associate, R&D Formulation serves as a transitional position between an advanced R&D technician and a Formulator
-1. This role requires hands-on execution combined with growing technical ownership of formulation development activities. The individual will lead formulation experiments, support process development and scale-up, and ensure compliant documentation while demonstrating readiness to advance into a Formulator role.

Areas of Responsibility

Formulation Development & Execution

• Support formulation experiments for new product development and optimization of existing products.
• Design and prepare prototypes and experimental batches at benchtop, pilot, and scale-up levels.
• Support development of solid oral dosage forms (tablets, capsules, granules).
• Execute formulation activities independently with minimal supervision while escalating complex challenges appropriately.
• Collaborate closely with and support senior R&D team members in daily product development activities.

Process Development & Scale-Up

• Support process development, validation, troubleshooting, and technology transfer to manufacturing.
• Execute pilot-scale and scale-up batches to support commercialization.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Engineering teams to optimize processes.

Equipment Operation & Technical Ownership

• Set up, operate, clean, and perform changeovers on R&D and pilot-scale equipment, including: tablet presses, capsule filling machines, coating equipment, granulators, fluid bed dryers (FBDs).
• Ensure equipment is maintained and operated in compliance with SOPs, safety standards, and cGMP requirements.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues using strong technical and analytical skills.

Documentation, Compliance & Communication

• Maintain accurate and compliant documentation (BMRs, logbooks, protocols, reports).
• Record formulation data, observations, and changes in a timely and clear manner.
• Ensure adherence to cGMP, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate updates, results, and project status effectively to R&D and cross-functional teams.
• Prepare and review technical and customer-facing documents, including: sample shipment cover letters, commercial invoices and declaration documents for international shipments, tracking and data analysis spreadsheets.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Operations

• Coordinate with internal departments to support smooth R&D operations: QC, QA, Packaging, Warehouse/Inventory, Purchasing, Maintenance.
• External Facilities (e.g., Van Dyke Building):
  Raw material transfers.
• Request materials through Syspro and ensure availability for trials.
• Schedule and coordinate meetings across R&D and Purchasing teams.

Sample Management, Packaging & Shipping

• Package, label, and maintain inventory of samples for: customer evaluations and meetings, internal and external testing, stability studies.
• Ship samples, materials, and documents via Fed Ex and UPS, including international shipments.
• Prepare all required shipping documentation and ensure compliance with international regulations.
• Coordinate with shipping carriers to resolve delays and ensure timely delivery.

Inventory, Warehouse & Material Management

• Maintain organization, labeling, and safety of R&D warehouse and storage areas.
• Ensure proper labeling and storage of raw materials, packaging materials, and supplier samples.
• Manage controlled storage requirements (e.g., probiotics in designated rooms/freezers).
• Track inventory levels, material usage, and delivery timelines.
• Maintain office and lab supply inventory.

Data Tracking & Administrative Support

• Packages & labels samples for shipments & customer review.
• Packages all samples for customer meetings & maintains inventory for sample presentation.
• Packages & labels samples for internal & external testing.
• Packages & labels samples occasionally for stability trials.
• Maintains warehouse organization & safety.
• Labels raw materials correctly & maintains organization system for each section of the warehouse.
• Labels packaging materials to ensure easy retrieval.
• Labels supplier received raw materials with necessary information for easy retrieval.
• Ensures probiotic samples are correctly stored in R&D probiotic room or…