Scientist, Biologics Formulation

About Varda Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.  Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses. From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.   Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.   Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.  Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem. About This Role Our pharmaceutical team is looking for a highly motivated early-career Scientist to join our Biologics Formulation team. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to next-generation protein formulation development while working with cutting-edge high-throughput automation technologies in a fast-paced startup environment. As a Scientist, you will execute and optimize protein formulation protocols across liquid and solid dosage forms, supporting the development of high concentration biologics and advanced systems. You will play a key role in establishing automated workflows and maintaining robust data management practices as the team scales its capabilities. Responsibilities Formulation Development & Execution Execute protein formulation experiments for liquid and solid dosage forms, including excipient screening, pH optimization, and stability assessment Prepare and characterize high concentration protein formulations and evaluate formulation stability under various conditions Support development of advanced formulation Perform routine analytical characterization using techniques such as DLS, DSF, CE, and spectroscopy High-Throughput Automation & Data Management Develop, optimize, and validate automated liquid handling protocols for high-throughput formulation screening Program and maintain automated equipment workflows, troubleshoot technical issues, and implement process improvements Design and execute plate-based experimental layouts for parallel formulation studies Maintain comprehensive electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) documentation with rigorous data integrity standards Organize, analyze, and visualize large datasets from high-throughput experiments using appropriate software tools Collaboration & Communication Work independently on assigned projects while maintaining clear communication with team members Present experimental results and progress updates in team meetings Contribute to technical reports, SOPs, and regulatory documentation Adapt quickly to changing priorities and deliver results within startup timelines Basic Qualifications PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomaterials, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline Hands-on experience with protein formulation and characterization techniques Strong foundation in protein chemistry and physical biochemistry principles Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism, Python, or R) Demonstrated ability to work independently with strong organizational skills Experience with electronic lab notebooks and structured data management Excellent written and verbal communication skills Preferred Skills And Experience Industry experience in biopharmaceutical formulation development Experience with liquid handling automation platforms (e.g., Tecan, Hamilton, Beckman)  Familiarity with protein crystallization techniques Knowledge of lyophilization, spray drying, or other solid-state processing methods  Experience in startup or fast-paced R&D environments Programming experience for data analysis and visualization (Python, MATLAB, or similar) What We Offer Opportunity to work at the intersection of biotechnology and space manufacturing Hands-on experience establishing high-throughput formulation capabilities Collaborative team environment with mentorship from senior scientists Professional development opportunities in a rapidly growing company Pay Range Salary range: $100,000 - $140,000/per year This role is on-site   in El Segundo, CA Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards Benefits Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):   Health & Wellness   Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays   100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance   $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses   12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental di