Job Title:
Sr Research Associate II
Company: Planet Pharma
Location: Novato, CA
Created: 2026-04-19
Job Type: Full Time
Job Description:
Job DescriptionPay 40-48/h depending on experienceJOB DESCRIPTIONThe selected candidate will work in the Separations and Biophysical Assays team within the Analytical Sciences group to assist in the advancement of the company's therapeutics for clinical evaluation and potential commercialization. The candidate will be responsible for method development (separations), provide routine testing and characterization support to partner groups to help with early candidate selection, process development, and drug substance and drug product process characterization. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience working with biologics including but not limited to proteins, peptides, protein-conjugates, enzymes, biologics with a focus on method development and in-depth characterization. The ideal candidate will be able to perform quality work under limited supervision, apply problem solving techniques to maintain accurate results, promote improvements, and assure a safe, stable, on-target operation within the laboratory. The selected candidate should possess excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills and be a self-starter willing to work efficiently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.RESPONSIBILITIESPrimary responsibility is to support the Separations and Biophysics group within Analytical SciencesBe a hands-on presence in the laboratory, supporting biophysical/ biochemical assay development and qualification using HPLC and CE (must have) for various modalities (preferably biologics). LC-MS (high-res) experience is also desirable.Provide routine analytical characterization & testing support to partner groups including Upstream and Downstream PD, Formulations, and Research & Early Development (RED).Document experimental results in the company electronic lab notebook (Benchling), author procedures, and contribute to technical documentation (test methods, development reports).Actively participate in the operational aspects of the laboratory by conducting safety inspections, lab organization, ordering supplies, and performing routine equipment maintenance.Present scientific literature and results from ongoing studies at group meetings and other discussion forums at the company.Other duties as assigned.SkillsRequired Skills:Hands-on experience in the biotechnology industry or academic setting with a broad range of analytical techniques focused on analytical testing and characterization for proteins, peptides, and protein-conjugates is required.Experience with biochemical characterization methods is required:SEC, SCX, RP-HPLC experience is a must (Agilent/Waters/Thermo LC instruments)Capillary Electrophoresis (PA800 or BioPhase8800) based methods (SDS for size separation, glycan profiling)cIEF (Maurice) experience is highly desirableLC-MS (Orbitrap/QToF/QQQ) method development experience also desirableTechnical understanding of all aspects of analytical testing, phase appropriate regulatory requirements, method qualifications, and method transfers.Ability to independently troubleshoot issues, ideate, and develop insights into technical challenges and propose solutions to solve them.Demonstrates attention-to-detail and "right-the-first time' approachExcellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information. Be able to present data/ideas to functional and cross-functional teams.Ability to influence others effectively and develop collaborative relationships with partner teams.Familiar with use of statistical software, electronic document management, and laboratory information management.Ability to effectively analyze complex problems and present results effectively within and beyond the departmentAbility to flexibly adapt to changing business needs and meet timelines.Strong organizational skills with the ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize.Desired Skills:Experience in method development, qualification, and transfer to/from other laboratories such as development, quality control.Knowledge of biopharmaceutical process development is a plus.Experience with automation is a plus.Experience working in a cross-functional environment.Good understanding of root cause analysis methodology.EducationBachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related field with 6+ years of experience in a Biologics or Pharmaceutical environment.Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related field with 4+ years of experience in a Biologics or Pharmaceutical environment.Equal Opportunity Employer: We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy not to discriminate against any applicant or employee, and we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment across all locations in which we operate. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our mission and enhance our ability to serve clients globally. If you have a disability or require any reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please inform your recruiter or contact us directly so that we can explore the appropriate arrangements.Fraud Alert: Candidate safety is a top priority at Planet Pharma. The industry has seen an increase in people falsely representing themselves as recruiters to gather personal information from job seekers. For your safety, do not provide sensitive data to anyone you have not spoken with thoroughly, never provide banking information during the application process and always double check the email address of the Recruiter to ensure it's from an official Planet Pharma domain (@, @planet-pharma.co.uk, and @) and not a domain with an alternative extension like .net, .org or .jobs.