Formulation Scientist - R&D

About Colorado Chromatography Labs (CCL)

Colorado Chromatography Labs (CCL) is a research-driven innovation lab developing next-generation solutions across six R&D verticals: new molecules, dietary supplements, peptide biosynthesis, pharmaceutical formulation, biological testing, and early-stage drug development. Our team is advancing the science of novel molecule design, therapeutic analogs, and bioavailability optimization for underexplored natural products and synthetic compounds. We operate at the interface of chemistry, biology, and formulation science while pushing boundaries through impactful, IP-generating research.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Ph.D.-level Formulation Scientist or PharmD with a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences and a passion for novel delivery systems. This role will join our Formulations R&D team to design and evaluate innovative oral, sublingual, and injectable delivery methods for proprietary compounds. The ideal candidate has experience translating pharmacological targets into bioavailable, scalable dosage forms, and is comfortable operating in a cross-functional, early-stage research environment.

This is a technical individual contributor role, not a management position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and optimize formulations for oral, sublingual, transdermal, and injectable routes of administration.
• Select and evaluate excipients, carriers, and delivery technologies for solubility and bioavailability enhancement.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including compatibility, stability, and dissolution.
• Support analytical method development and interface with chemists and biologists for characterization workflows.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams on PK/PD data to inform iterative formulation changes.
• Draft technical documentation for internal reports, publications, and patent filings.
• Stay current on formulation innovations in both the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement spaces.
• Help transition formulations from benchtop to pilot-scale evaluation when applicable.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, or a closely related discipline (Required) or PharmD (Preferred) with 2+ years R&D formulation experience
• Demonstrated expertise in solid, liquid, or semisolid dosage forms
• Experience with excipient screening, solubility optimization, or lipophilic compound formulation
• Familiarity with analytical tools (HPLC, particle sizing, rheology, etc.)
• Strong scientific writing skills for technical documentation, manuscripts, or patent support

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in startup or early-stage biotech
• Exposure to cannabinoid, peptide, or alkaloid formulation challenges
• Knowledge of GRAS and FDA-compliant excipient selection
• Familiarity with in vitro permeability models or in vivo PK studies