{"id":4256648,"url":"https://alion.io/job/otsuka-us-associate-director-analytical-structural-characterization","title":"Associate Director, Analytical (Structural Characterization)","company":{"id":1794798,"name":"Otsuka US","domain":"otsuka-us.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/otsuka-us","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":null},"role":"Biotech","role_family":"Biotech","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Princeton, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":169222,"max":253000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":253000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Chromatography","optional":false},{"name":"Gmail","optional":false},{"name":"HPLC","optional":false},{"name":"Mass Spectrometry","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-01T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-01","last_verified_at":"2026-11-13T14:14:21Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":73,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":73},"description":"The Associate Director, Analytical - Structural Characterization will lead the scientific strategy and execution of small molecule structural characterization across all phases of development, from early discovery support through commercial lifecycle management. This role is responsible for ensuring comprehensive understanding and control of molecular structure, impurities, solid-state form, and degradation behavior to support process development, formulation, regulatory submissions, and commercialization. The position requires strong technical expertise, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced small company environment.Key Responsibilities\nScientific & Technical Leadership\nProvide subject matter expertise for small molecule structural characterization, including molecular identity, impurity profiling, degradation pathways, and solid-state properties.\nDefine and execute analytical strategies to support process development, scale-up, comparability, and lifecycle management.\nLead investigation and resolution of complex analytical and CMC issues related to structure, impurities, and stability.\nInterpret and integrate analytical data to guide critical CMC and development decisions.\nAnalytical Techniques & Platforms\nOversee development, qualification, and validation of methods including (but not limited to): Spectroscopic techniques: NMR (1D/2D), MS (LC-MS, HRMS), IR, Raman, UV\n Chromatographic methods: HPLC/UPLC (reverse phase, normal phase, chiral), GC\nImpurity and degradation analysis: forced degradation, extractables/leachables, genotoxic impurities\nSolid-state characterization: XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy, polymorph and salt screening\n\nDrive adoption of fit-for-purpose methods aligned with development stage and regulatory expectations.\nCMC & Regulatory Support\nSupport CMC strategies for IND, NDA, and post-approval submissions, including impurity justification and solid-form control.\nAuthor, review, and approve analytical sections of regulatory documents and responses to health authority questions.\nEnsure analytical approaches are compliant with ICH, FDA, and global regulatory guidance for small molecules.\nContribute to setting specifications, control strategies, and stability programs.\nCross-Functional Collaboration\nPartner closely with Process Chemistry, Formulation, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs teams.\nSupport selection and control of API solid form and formulation-relevant attributes.\nManage and oversee work performed by external CROs, CDMOs, and analytical vendors.\nPeople & Project Leadership\nProvide project leadership, ensuring analytical deliverables are met on time and with high quality.\nContribute to departmental planning, budgeting, and continuous improvement initiatives.\nEstablish scalable analytical processes appropriate for a growing organization.\nQualifications\nEducation\nPhD in Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline or\nMS with significant and progressive industry experience\nExperience\n8-10+ years of experience in small molecule analytical development in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry\nDemonstrated expertise in structural elucidation, impurity characterization, and solid-state chemistry\nExperience supporting CMC development and regulatory submissions (IND/NDA)\nPrior people leadership or strong matrix leadership experience preferred\nSkills & Competencies\nDeep understanding of small molecule chemistry and analytical control strategies\nStrong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and data interpretation capabilities\nAbility to communicate complex analytical concepts to cross-functional and executive stakeholders\nExperience working in GxP-regulated environments\nComfortable operating in a resource-conscious, fast-moving small company setting\nCompetencies\nAccountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.\nStrategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.\nPatient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.\nImpactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.\nRespectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.\nEmpowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.\nMinimum $169,222.00 - Maximum $253,000.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.\nCompany benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.\nCome discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://ah-prod.com/multi/videoplayer/player.html?v=6385356920112.\nJoin Our Talent Community: Stay connected with Otsuka by joining our Talent Community. Tell us about your interests, and we’ll notify you about future opportunities that align with your background. https://community.hireez.com/cielo-otsuka/82cb3591\nDisclaimer:\nThis job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.\nOtsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.\nIf you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting .\nStatement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams\nAt Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.\nPlease understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.\nOtsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.\nTo ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External.\nOtsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov, or your local authorities.\nOtsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.","description_format":"text","description_chars":9975,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"phd","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Flexible time off","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Health Care"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-13T14:14:21Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":20,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.718,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":73,"expected_fill_days":26,"reasons":["conf:2","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-13T16:48:03Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":253000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/otsuka-us-associate-director-analytical-structural-characterization","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/otsuka-us-associate-director-analytical-structural-characterization.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-13T16:48:03Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":33689,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-14T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":1794798},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1794798"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fotsuka-us-associate-director-analytical-structural-characterization"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"free","price":{"credits":0,"usd":0},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fotsuka-us-associate-director-analytical-structural-characterization"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fotsuka-us-associate-director-analytical-structural-characterization"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/otsuka-us-associate-director-analytical-structural-characterization\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fotsuka-us-associate-director-analytical-structural-characterization"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":4256648}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"otsuka-us.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":4256648},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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