Sr Scientist - Analytical Development

About the Role

The Sr. Scientist, Analytical Development is responsible for leading analytical activities supporting clinical-stage drug substance and drug product development programs. This role provides phase-appropriate analytical development, validation, and analytical CMC regulatory support to ensure successful advancement of development candidates through clinical and commercial milestones. The Sr. Scientist will lead analytical method development and validation activities, analytical risk assessments, and control strategy development for drug substance, drug product, excipients, impurities, degradation products, and critical quality attributes. The individual will serve as a key technical contributor and cross-functional partner while providing scientific oversight of external laboratories and development organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute analytical development plans aligned with CMC milestones, clinical timelines, regulatory requirements, and overall product development strategy
• Design, develop, optimize, qualify, validate, and transfer analytical methods for drug substance, drug product, raw materials, in-process controls, and stability testing in accordance with ICH, FDA, USP, and cGMP requirements.
• Lead analytical risk assessments and contribute to development of phase-appropriate analytical control strategies.
• Design and oversee laboratory studies and independently execute critical experiments supporting method development, validation, characterization, and investigations. Support specification development and justification through scientific evaluation of analytical and stability data.
• Serve as the analytical lead for assigned development programs and provide scientific leadership across cross-functional project teams.
• Provide technical oversight and strategic direction to external analytical laboratories, CROs, and CDMOs to ensure timely and high-quality execution of analytical deliverables.
• Identify critical analytical challenges, lead technical problem-solving efforts, and support root-cause investigations for OOS/OOT and product quality issues.
• Apply advanced analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, GC, MS, LC-MS, dissolution, Karl Fischer titration, spectroscopy, particle characterization, and compendial methods as appropriate.
• Interpret, trend, and communicate stability data to support specification setting, shelf-life assignments, product quality assessments, and regulatory submissions.
• Author, review, and approve analytical development reports, specifications, and technical documents.
• Contribute to analytical CMC sections of IND, CTA, NDA, and other regulatory submissions.
• Ensure analytical activities are conducted in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, compendial standards, and company quality systems.
• Review and approve analytical methods, method validation documents, release testing data, and stability results for drug products and drug substances.
• Collaborate closely with Regulatory, Clinical Supply, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and external partners to ensure alignment of analytical activities with program objectives.
• Stay current with emerging analytical technologies, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices and incorporate them into development strategies where appropriate.

Factors for Success:

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline with 4+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience; or
• MS degree with 8–12 years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting analytical development activities for Phase I–III clinical development programs.
• Experience with small peptides is a plus.
• Experience with sterile, ophthalmic, injectable, or other complex dosage forms preferred
• Experience with extractables/leachables, elemental impurities, forced degradation, characterization studies, and bioanalytical methods is desirable
• Experience managing CROs, CDMOs and external analytical laboratories
• Proven experience authoring and reviewing analytical CMC documentation for regulatory submissions
• Strong understanding of Quality by Design (QbD), risk-based analytical development, and control strategy development
• Working knowledge of ICH, compendial, FDA, cGMP, and CMC guidelines and industry best practices.

Tarsans are also expected to exemplify our core leadership competencies, including:

• Decision Making - Identifies, analyzes, and resolves issues or challenges effectively and efficiently. Demonstrates creativity, decisiveness, and the capacity to implement solutions in a structured and outcome-oriented manner. Navigates uncertainty when there’s not a blueprint for success. Owns their decisions and actions.
• Collaboration and Team Building - Builds strong relationships and networks. Is curious about and respectful of different points of view. Cultivates a safe space for discussion readily engaging in group dialogue and debate. Puts the team first.
• Outcome Driven - Clearly defines mutual expectations of self and others in a team setting. Adapts to changing business needs. Is determined and resourceful in finding solutions, even when faced with obstacles. Takes appropriate actions, including calculated risks, to ensure obligations are met.

A Few Other Details Worth Mentioning:

• The position will be based in our beautiful Irvine office, complete with onsite gym, pool, snacks, drinks, and occasional catered meals. We provide a hybrid work environment.
• We are passionate about our culture! Our Tarsans live our values of commitment to patients, empowerment to champion innovation, and teamwork to amplify impact!
• This position reports directly to the Director, Analytical Development.
• Travel will be required, up to 30%, including international travel.

At Tarsus, we understand the importance of attracting and retaining top talent. The expected base pay range for this position is $120,000 - $168,000 plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits. The base pay range reflects the target range for this position, but individual pay will be determined by additional factors such as job-related skills, experience and relevant education or training. Our benefits include health, dental and vision insurance benefits to ensure your well-being. We believe in work-life balance and offer generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days. For more details regarding Tarsus benefits, please visit:

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Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.