Experienced senior analytical chemist / Head of analytical chemistry

We are seeking an experienced senior analytical chemist / head of analytical chemistry to take a leading role in the analytical development and quality control strategy for our Dispersome® formulations. In this position, you will be a key scientific owner of analytical methods, working across development stages and acting as the primary analytical interface to external CDMOs and partners. You will collaborate closely with formulation, CMC, and external manufacturing teams to ensure robust, phase‑appropriate analytical support from early development through clinical supply and commercialization.

Zerion Pharma is a pharmaceutical company enabling the development of novel drug products by improving the solubility and bioavailability of small molecule drugs. Our first drug formulation will reach the market in 2 years and secure regulatory acceptance of our key excipient, the protein beta-lactoglobulin, as a novel pharmaceutical excipient. We are applying the unique Dispersome® formulation technology in several projects in different stages of development, reaching from formulations screening, final dosage form development, tech transfer, GMP production to clinical trials.

The position

Overall, you will be responsible for the development of analytical methods in support of the development and commercialization of different Dispersome® formulations. You will be working closely with the formulation and CMC teams and be responsible for the technology transfer of the analytical methods to CDMOs or client manufacturing sites. This includes – without limitation – responsibility for:

• Lead the development of analytical methods suitable for different stages of pharmaceutical development, ensuring regulatory and scientific robustness.
• Define and oversee method validation strategies, with validation activities typically executed at external CDMOs.
• Drive and manage analytical method transfer to external laboratories, including hands‑on troubleshooting during method implementation.
• Review and approve method transfer reports, validation reports, and analytical documentation generated by third parties.
• Support and execution of formulation development, process development, and stability studies through appropriate analytical testing and data interpretation.
• Contribute to investigations of analytical deviations (OOS/OOT), root cause analysis, and associated CAPA activities in collaboration with partners.
• Act as a scientific sparring partner internally, contributing to cross‑functional decision‑making within R&D and CMC.

Your profile

We are seeking a self-motivated and independent person, with a PhD degree in pharmacy, chemistry, chemical engineering, or similar; and/or 5+ years of experience from working in the industry. You should have previous experience from working in the analytical method development for pharmaceutical products. We envision that you bring most of the following:

• Solid hands‑on experience in pharmaceutical analytical development, ideally spanning both early and late development phases.
• Strong working knowledge of chromatographic techniques (e.g. HPLC/UPLC; LC‑MS is an advantage).
• Experience with analytical method validation and technology transfer to CDMOs.
• Familiarity with GMP environments and the expectations of regulatory documentation and data integrity.
• Experience supporting clinical‑stage projects and/or interactions with regulatory authorities (IND/CTA‑related analytics).
• Exposure to protein‑based excipients, complex formulations, or amorphous systems.
• Comfort acting as a scientific owner, able to challenge data, propose improvements, and influence development strategy.
• Ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.

We expect that you aim at meeting high-quality standards in your work, dedicated to meet deadlines critical to the team and the company.

The opportunity

You will be working closely with the dedicated and innovative colleagues from the R&D and CMC departments at ZERION. We offer a challenging job in an exciting environment where you will be an essential part contributing to our ambitious goal of bringing our novel amorphous formulation technology from our research lab to industrial manufacturing and the market:

• High scientific ownership: You will shape analytical strategy, not just execute methods.
• End‑to‑end development exposure: From early formulation through GMP manufacturing and clinical supply.
• Visible impact: Your work directly supports products progressing towards the market.
• Lean, expert environment: Close collaboration with formulation scientists, leadership, and external experts.
• Flexibility and trust: A culture that values scientific judgment, autonomy, and pragmatism.
  

Please submit your application and CV to Zerion A/S, Fruebjergvej 3, 2100 Copenhagen, or by email to wt@zerion.eu, attention Wei Tian before April 20, 2026.

The position's starting date is June 1, 2026.

If you want to hear more about the position, please contact Wei Tian, VP CMC at +44 7514 424545.

Learn more about what it is like working at Zerion:

https://www.zerion.eu/careers