Associate Research Scientist/Research Scientist, Analytical Chemistry R&D

California, US residents

The job details are as follows:

Who We Are

We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs.

United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR) seeks to travel down the corridors of indifference to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. We were founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter’s pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Today, we have six FDA-approved therapies that treat PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline seeks to develop additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and many others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available to address the vast need. For this reason, we are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers available for transplant. We believe an unlimited supply of tolerable, transplantable organs will eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases for which transplant is not currently an option.

Who You Are

As an Associate/Research Scientist, Analytical Chemistry, you’ll be a critical scientific partner at the intersection of discovery, development, and scale‑up—helping transform complex chemistry into therapies that can change lives. In this role, you’ll work side‑by‑side with synthetic chemists to develop and execute advanced analytical methods, generate high‑quality data, and solve real‑world challenges tied to route selection, impurity control, and process understanding. You’ll bring clarity to complexity by interpreting chromatographic data, supporting tech transfer and GMP readiness, and ensuring analytical rigor from early research through manufacturing. If you enjoy being hands‑on in the lab, thinking deeply about data, and collaborating across teams to move innovative science forward, you’ll find both purpose and momentum here

The Associate/Research Scientist, Analytical Chemistry supports a team of synthetic chemists by developing and executing various analytical (LC, GC, SFC, KF etc.) methods to solve complex research problems such as route scouting, process understanding, scale-up and impurity isolation/purification. This role also partners with QC, and external vendors to develop robust analytical methods, generate high-quality data, to ensure analytical readiness for scale-up, tech transfer and GMP manufacturing.

Collaborate with synthetic chemists to support isolation and characterization of API, impurities, intermediates, and markers using preparative techniques such as prep‑HPLC and SFC while meeting assigned project timelines
Execute established analytical methods for chromatographic techniques including LC, GC, and SFC using appropriate detection such as UV, ELSD, CAD, MS, and FID
Trend and interpret chromatography data to provide actionable insights including reaction completion, chiral selectivity, impurity profiles, and purge trends, and communicate results clearly to synthetic chemists
Analyze samples or materials from vendors according to established or transferred analytical procedures
Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instruments and associated computer systems by coordinating with groups such as IT and OT for basic troubleshooting
Coordinate vendor service activities including preventive maintenance, repairs, and column selection, and assist with obtaining quotes or making purchases for columns, consumables, and chemicals
Author and review technical documentation such as analytical reports, method SOPs, method development summaries, investigations, and data packages for method transfer
Contribute to technical documentation such as development summaries, experiment records, method notes, and invention disclosures as needed
Ensure data quality and adherence to internal policies and scientific standards
Review data packages such as method development reports and protocols from other departments and vendors
Utilize scientific literature to support execution of research assignment objectives
Drive improvements in analytical throughput and lab efficiency
Support safety practices, chemical hygiene, and waste management while applying principles of sustainability

Minimum Requirements

Associate Research Scientist, Analytical Chemistry R&D

5+ years of relevant chemistry experience in pharmaceutical industry with a Bachelor's degree or 3+ years of relevant chemistry experience in pharmaceutical industry with a Master's degree or 0+ years of relevant chemistry experience in pharmaceutical industry with a PhD
Foundational understanding of chromatographic techniques (LC, GC, SFC) and associated detection technologies (UV, ELSD, CAD, MS, FID), sufficient to execute established analytical methods independently
Ability to trend and interpret chromatography data to provide actionable insights (reaction completion, chiral selectivity, impurity profiles, purge trends) and communicate results clearly to synthetic chemists
Ability to operate, calibrate and maintain various laboratory instruments and related computers by interacting with other departments IT/OT for basic troubleshooting
Ability to coordinate vendor service activities (PM visits, repairs, column selection) and assist with obtaining quotes/purchase for columns, consumables, and chemicals
Ability to contribute to technical documentation such as development summaries, experiment records, and method notes; contribute to invention disclosures as needed
Ability to utilize scientific literature for accomplishing research assignment objectives

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to analyze materials from external vendors/CDMOs using transferred procedures; confirm compliance with method requirements and report deviations
Ability to ensure data quality and adherence to internal policies and scientific standards
Proficient with MS Office, ChemDraw, and SciFinder

Minimum Requirements

Research Scientist, Analytical Chemistry R&D

8+ years of relevant chemistry experience in pharmaceutical industry with a Bachelor's degree or 6+ years of relevant chemistry experience in pharmaceutical industry with a Master's degree or 2+ years of relevant chemistry experience in pharmaceutical industry with a PhD
Experience in independently leading analytical investigations, hands-on experience with HPLC/UPLC/GC method development, troubleshooting and common sample prep techniques
Working knowledge of LC–MS (TOF) for mass-based compound characterization
Ability to interpret analytical data in the context of chemical process development
Sound knowledge of chromatography software: Waters Empower, Agilent MassHunter, Thermo Scientific Chromeleon and Waters ChromScope
Clear technical writing and data storytelling (chromatogram stacking, overlays, etc.)
Comfortable in fast-paced R&D environments with shifting priorities
Experience with chiral analysis/method development (chiral HPLC and/or SFC) is highly preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in chemistry or related discipline
Sound knowledge of MS Office, ChemDraw, and SciFinder
Experience supporting API process development (route scouting and kilo lab)
Experience with CAD detectors and SFC
Experience working with external CDMOs and reviewing vendor analytical packages
Familiarity with KF, NMR, FTIR
Familiarity with regulatory expectations for early to late-stage development (ICH concepts, specs setting and CMC support)

Job Location

United Therapeutics requires this candidate to be 100% on-site at our Silver Spring, Maryland location.

The salary range for the Associate Research Scientist position is $96,500 - $130,000 per year and the salary range for the Research Scientist is $111,000 - $150,000 per year. These ranges reflect our good-faith estimate of the compensation for this role at the time of posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business needs, as well as other factors permitted by law at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future based on company and market factors.

At United Therapeutics, our mission and vision are one. We use our enthusiasm, creativity, and persistence to innovate for the unmet medical needs of our patients and to benefit our other stakeholders. We are bold and unconventional. We have fun, we do good.

Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit

https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities

United Therapeutics Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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