Senior Scientist, Formulation & Process Development (San Diego)

Company Description SpiderX is a stealth-mode biotechnology company pioneering a next-generation hydrogel-drug conjugate platform designed to unlock the therapeutic potential of small molecules, nucleic acids, and biologics. Our proprietary platform combines precision conjugation chemistry with advanced polymer engineering to create programmable delivery systems capable of targeting diverse disease mechanisms. Founded by experts at the intersection of materials science, medicinal chemistry, and pharmaceutical development, SpiderX is building the infrastructure to bring transformative therapies to patients with high unmet need. We are pre-clinical, well-funded, and moving fast.

Role Description The Senior Scientist, Formulation & Process Development is a key scientific contributor and hands-on laboratory leader responsible for designing, developing, and advancing SpiderX’s polymer-conjugate formulation platform across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, nucleic acids, and biologics. This individual will own the formulation and process development function from early-stage optimization through scalable, IND-enabling development.

This is a foundational, high-impact role within a lean, fast-moving startup. The Senior Scientist will help establish the formulation backbone of the platform, shaping both near-term program execution and the long-term manufacturability strategy. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in polymer chemistry and conjugation with rigorous pharmaceutical development experience and the entrepreneurial drive to thrive in a pre-clinical startup environment .

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Bioengineering, or a closely related field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant industry experience; or M.S. with 7+ years.
• Demonstrated expertise in polymer chemistry, including synthesis, modification, and characterization of functional polymers (e.g., PEG, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamines, block copolymers) for pharmaceutical applications.
• Hands-on experience in conjugation chemistry, including bioconjugation strategies (e.g., click chemistry, NHS ester coupling, maleimide-thiol), linker design, and characterization of conjugated drug constructs.
• Strong background in formulation science for at least one therapeutic modality: small molecules (solid dispersion, nanoparticle, lipid-based), nucleic acids (LNP, polyplexes, lipoplexes), or biologics (protein formulation, stability).
• Experience with analytical characterization of complex drug delivery systems and strong ability to interpret data to drive formulation decisions.
• Familiarity with scalable process development, including mixing technologies (microfluidics, impingement jets), downstream purification, and lyophilization.
• Experience working in or closely with external CDMOs and CROs to execute manufacturing and analytical activities.
• Highly organized, rigorous, and self-directed with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex scientific data for cross-functional audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with two or more therapeutic modalities (e.g., nucleic acid delivery AND small molecule formulation, or biologics AND polymer conjugates).
• Prior exposure to targeted drug delivery systems (e.g., receptor-targeted nanoparticles, antibody-drug conjugates, or polymer-drug conjugates with active targeting moieties).
• Familiarity with regulatory CMC expectations for IND submissions and experience supporting regulatory interactions.
• Experience correlating formulation physicochemical properties with in vivo pharmacokinetic or efficacy outcomes.
• Exposure to GMP manufacturing environments or GMP-readiness activities.
• Publication record or patent experience in formulation, polymer chemistry, or drug delivery.

Other Requirements

• Legally authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
• Position is fully on-site (San Diego).
• Travel up to 15% to CDMO and CRO partner sites.

Working at SpiderX

SpiderX is built on the conviction that smart chemistry can solve delivery problems that have stymied the field for decades. We are a tight-knit team of scientists who move with urgency and hold ourselves to a high scientific standard. We value intellectual honesty, collaborative problem-solving, and the tenacity to push through hard problems. At SpiderX, every team member has direct impact on the science and the strategy. If you are excited by the challenge of building a platform from scratch and helping to define the next chapter of drug delivery, we want to hear from you.