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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Veterinary Chemist

💰 $65,000 - $130,000

ScienceResearch & DevelopmentPharmaceuticalAnimal HealthChemistry

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a passionate chemist looking to make a direct impact on animal well-being? This role requires a dedicated and innovative Veterinary Chemist to join a dynamic team at the forefront of the animal health industry. In this role, you will be the scientific backbone of our product pipeline, applying advanced analytical techniques to solve complex chemical challenges. You will contribute to everything from early-stage drug discovery and formulation to late-stage stability testing and manufacturing support. This is a unique opportunity to blend your love for chemistry with a mission-driven purpose, ensuring that pets and livestock receive the safest and most effective treatments available.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Formulation Scientist
  • Recent PhD/MS Graduate (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Veterinary Chemist / Principal Scientist
  • Research & Development (R&D) Manager
  • Director of Chemistry / CMC

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Assurance (QA) Manager
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Technical Services Scientist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, validate, and transfer robust analytical methods (e.g., HPLC, UPLC, GC, LC-MS) for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished veterinary products.
  • Perform routine and non-routine chemical analysis of raw materials, in-process samples, and final drug products to ensure they meet all quality and safety specifications.
  • Design, execute, and manage comprehensive stability studies for new and existing veterinary drug products according to VICH, FDA-CVM, and other global regulatory guidelines.
  • Author, review, and maintain meticulous technical documentation, including analytical method development reports, validation protocols, stability reports, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Troubleshoot, maintain, and calibrate advanced analytical instrumentation (e.g., chromatographs, spectrometers) to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime.
  • Conduct formulation development and optimization studies for a variety of veterinary dosage forms, such as injectables, tablets, oral solutions, and topicals.
  • Act as a key analytical resource to support the manufacturing process, leading investigations for out-of-specification (OOS) and out-of-trend (OOT) results to identify root causes.
  • Investigate, identify, and characterize impurities and degradation products in veterinary pharmaceuticals using advanced techniques like LC-MS/MS and NMR.
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional project teams, including Formulation, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Manufacturing, to drive product development milestones.
  • Ensure all laboratory work, data management, and documentation practices are in strict compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
  • Contribute to the preparation and review of the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) sections of regulatory submissions to health authorities (e.g., FDA-CVM, EMA, VMD).
  • Conduct critical extractables and leachables (E&L) studies on container closure systems and manufacturing components to ensure product safety and integrity.
  • Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in analytical chemistry during internal audits and regulatory agency inspections.
  • Synthesize, purify, and characterize novel chemical entities (NCEs) or reference standards required for R&D and quality control purposes.
  • Evaluate and recommend new analytical technologies and innovative methodologies to enhance laboratory capabilities, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of industry trends.
  • Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and training to junior chemists and laboratory technicians on complex analytical techniques and safety procedures.
  • Perform comprehensive physical and chemical characterization of active ingredients and excipients to inform and support formulation design.
  • Analyze biological matrices such as plasma, serum, and tissue to support pharmacokinetic (PK) and residue depletion studies in target animal species.
  • Author and meticulously review Certificates of Analysis (CofA) for raw materials and finished products, confirming accuracy and compliance with established standards.
  • Actively participate in project team meetings, presenting analytical data, clearly communicating challenges, and contributing to strategic project decisions.
  • Perform method equivalency studies to qualify alternate raw material suppliers or secondary testing laboratories.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain the laboratory in a state of audit-readiness, ensuring cleanliness, organization, and adherence to safety protocols.
  • Manage laboratory inventory, including ordering and stocking chemicals, reference standards, and critical consumables.
  • Stay current with scientific literature, emerging industry trends, and evolving regulatory guidance in the animal health field.
  • Participate in and contribute to site-wide safety programs and initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Chromatography: Expertise in HPLC, UPLC, and GC, including method development and troubleshooting.
  • Mass Spectrometry: Hands-on experience with LC-MS/MS and/or GC-MS for structural elucidation and trace-level quantification.
  • Method Validation: Deep understanding and practical application of ICH/VICH guidelines for analytical method validation.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Proficient knowledge of cGMP/GLP standards within a pharmaceutical environment.
  • Stability Analysis: Experience designing and executing formal stability programs for drug products.
  • Spectroscopy: Familiarity with techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR, and NMR for chemical characterization.
  • CMC Documentation: Ability to author and review technical reports and CMC sections for regulatory filings.
  • LIMS & CDS: Proficiency with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Chromatography Data Systems (e.g., Empower, Chromeleon).
  • Wet Chemistry: Skills in classical wet chemistry techniques, including titrations and extractions.
  • Formulation Science: Knowledge of pre-formulation and formulation development for various dosage forms.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to resolve complex technical issues.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to experimentation, data analysis, and documentation.
  • Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and communicate scientific concepts clearly.
  • Written & Verbal Communication: Excellent skills in preparing technical reports and presenting data to diverse audiences.
  • Time Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust to changing project needs and scientific challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in a relevant scientific discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Chemistry or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Chemistry (Analytical, Organic)
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of hands-on experience in a pharmaceutical or related laboratory environment, with a strong preference for roles in R&D or Quality Control.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience within the animal health pharmaceutical industry is highly desirable.
  • Proven track record of developing and validating analytical methods for small molecule drugs.
  • Experience with regulatory submissions (e.g., NADA, ANADA) to the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).
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