AI use among food scientists and technologists is little observed so far. Measured exposure for food scientists and technologists: 0% (little observed).

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Catalent has filed one layoff notice in the last twelve months, covering 93 workers, most recently February 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings

About the job

Associate Scientist, Product Development

About Site

Catalent’s San Diego, CA site is an early‑phase development facility supporting small‑molecule and peptide programs from preformulation through cGMP clinical manufacturing for oral and injectable dosage forms. The 68,000‑square‑foot site is a center of excellence for spray‑drying and bioavailability‑enhancement technologies, with integrated capabilities to advance challenging compounds rapidly into the clinic.

Position Summary

We have an opportunity for an Associate Scientist, Product Development to join our team. In this role, you will learn and apply basic formulation and analytical techniques to support the development of preclinical and clinical drug products. You will work under supervision to perform formulation and analytical tasks, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and regulations. This position offers the chance to build a strong foundation in pharmaceutical development and contribute to delivering high-quality medicines to patients.

Shift: Monday-Friday 8 AM -4:30 PM Location: San Diego, CA 100% Onsite

The Role

Conduct formulation development and characterization activities under supervision

Prepare reports, summaries, protocols, batch records, and quantitative analyses

Maintain clear and accurate record keeping in laboratory notebooks and perform secondary review of colleagues’ work for scientific accuracy and compliance as assigned

Ensure decisions impact only personal workload

Support client interaction under supervisor guidance

Develop problem-solving skills for experimental outcomes

Maintain professional expertise through familiarity with scientific literature

Execute experimental design under supervisor direction

Receive training on scientific techniques, Good Manufacturing Practices, and International Council for Harmonisation guidance

Comply with good housekeeping and safety practices

No personnel management responsibilities

The Candidate

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a physical, chemical, biological, or pharmaceutical science required

On an average 8-hour day this position requires the ability to walk, sit and stand, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms at or above shoulder height and below waist height, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear, smell and lift up to 40 pounds. Specific vision requirements including reading of written documents, visual inspection of materials and use of computer monitor screen frequently.

Preferred Skills & Background

Experience in drug product development preferred

Microsoft Office experience preferred

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this position in CA is $70,500 – $72,000 Plus Bonus. The final salary offered to a successful candidate may vary, and will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to: the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, skillset, education, business needs, etc. Catalent is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other states.

Why You Should Join Catalent

Positive and fast-paced working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative and dynamic

Competitive Paid Time Off plus 10 paid holidays

Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment

Tuition Reimbursement – support to finish your degree or earn a new one

Site-based Employee Engagement activities such as Movie Day, Annual Blues Fest, Free Bagel Fridays and more

Employee Resource Groups focusing on Diversity and Inclusion

Environmentally friendly, community engagement green initiatives including regularly participating in Beach Clean-up

Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process with potential for career growth

WellHub program promoting physical wellness including onsite fitness center, yoga classes and company-sponsored community sports teams

Perkspot offers exclusive or private discounts from approximately 900+ merchants in a wide array of categories

Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.

personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.

Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.

Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com . This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:

Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond— it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to spam@catalent.com for us to investigate with local authorities.

California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE .

Volunteer Work Disclosure: Applicants for employment in Massachusetts may include in their employment history any verified work performed on a volunteer basis.

Massachusetts Lie Detector Test Notice: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law may be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Consistent with Massachusetts law, Catalent does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.