Principal Scientist, Formulation Development

Location:  This position may be performed remotely, but requires the flexibility and willingness to travel as needed.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Principal Scientist, Formulation Development to lead drug product development from early discovery through late-stage clinical development. You’ll translate promising compounds into robust, phase-appropriate formulations and scalable manufacturing processes, partnering closely with Discovery, CMC, Regulatory, and external development partners. 

This role combines deep formulation expertise with hands-on scientific leadership. You’ll shape development strategy, solve complex technical challenges, oversee work at CDMOs, and help move programs forward with urgency and sound judgment. The ideal candidate is technically strong, curious, highly collaborative, and comfortable taking ownership in an agile environment. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead formulation strategy across programs, representing Formulation/Pharmaceutical Development on CMC and multidisciplinary project teams and clearly communicating strategy, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations.
• Design, oversee, and interpret formulation studies to characterize novel drug candidates, including small molecules and/or ASOs, and translate learnings into development decisions.
• Develop phase-appropriate formulations and manufacturing processes using sound formulation, material characterization, and pharmaceutical manufacturing principles.
• Partner with Discovery and other functions to provide timely, high-quality formulation support for preclinical studies and enable efficient progression into clinical development.
• Drive technical execution with CDMOs, providing scientific oversight for formulation and process development and ensuring external activities meet Praxis quality, timing, and clinical manufacturing needs.
• Author and contribute to technical and regulatory documents, including formulation development reports and CMC sections of INDs, IMPDs, NDAs, and related submissions.
• Influence and enable others by guiding scientists and external partners, bringing together cross-functional teams, and anticipating and resolving issues before they slow program progress. 

Qualifications and Key Success Factors

• PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, chemical or biochemical engineering, chemistry, or a related scientific discipline, with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Deep understanding of physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties and how they inform formulation and drug product design.
• Demonstrated experience leading formulation development and manufacturing process development from early-stage work through clinical supply.
• Strong scientific judgment and a track record of creative problem-solving in complex development environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence across functions and communicate directly and clearly.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high bar for quality.
• Self-directed and comfortable making decisions, challenging assumptions, and taking ownership without waiting for direction.
• Brings curiosity, innovation, urgency, integrity, and confidence to the work and thrives in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment. 

The physical and mental requirements of our roles include but are not limited to regular use of a computer, devices or other office equipment, clear communication, and occasional movement.  You'll need comfort with screen work, basic hand coordination, and focus.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Compensation & Benefits

At Praxis, we believe that taking care of our people (and their people) is important, so we provide a world class benefits package to help you thrive.  This includes 99% of the premium paid for medical, dental and vision plans.  We also provide company-paid life insurance, AD&D, disability benefits, and voluntary plans to personalize your coverage. Thinking about the future?  We match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% on eligible 401(k) contributions and sweeten the deal with long-term stock incentives and ESPP.  We provide a discretionary quarterly bonus, an extremely flexible wellness benefit, generous PTO, paid holidays and company-wide shutdowns.  Not to mention, you'll also be joining a phenomenal crew of colleagues who are smart, engaged and inspiring.  We aim high, collaborate hard, and produce results.  Let’s achieve the impossible together!

To round out our world-class total rewards package, we provide annualized base salary in the range listed below.  This range reflects the base salary the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of posting. Placement within the range will be based on job-related factors, including experience, qualifications, scope of responsibilities, and demonstrated track record of delivering results in similar roles.