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

Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.

Check how this applies to your own job

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

Skills this job asks for

Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.

About the job

Scientist 1, 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 a Scientist 1, Product Development to join our team. In this role, you will work with a high degree of autonomy to plan and execute simple laboratory experiments and communicate project status to management and clients. You will apply creativity and innovation to problem solving and develop formulations such as solutions, suspensions, capsules, tablets, and amorphous intermediates. You will also gain experience with analytical techniques and contribute to training and mentoring colleagues, all while ensuring compliance with SOPs and GMP regulations.

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

The Role

Conduct formulation studies and characterization of drug products for preclinical or human clinical dosage forms

Independently design and execute simple experiments; seek supervisor assistance for complex designs

Make decisions that may impact workload and project timelines

Interpret data with limited guidance, identifying key factors and understanding findings

Maintain clear and accurate records in laboratory notebooks and review colleagues’ work for accuracy and compliance

Increase client interaction, including leading technical discussions related to projects

Stay current with scientific literature to maintain professional expertise

Develop understanding of cGMPs and Catalent SOPs and systems relevant to assigned work

Comply with good housekeeping and safety practices

May supervise a laboratory assistant

Other duties as assigned

The Candidate

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s of Science degree is required plus a minimum of one (1) year of drug product development experience

We will also accept a Master’s of Science without any formal industry experience

Individual needs to be accessible to lab and office staff and able to use required office equipment. Specific vision requirements include reading of written documents and frequent use of a computer monitor

Preferred Skills & Background

Experience with various formulation types such as solutions, suspensions, tablets, capsules, or amorphous intermediates; spray dried dispersion experience is a plus

Experience with analytical techniques such as pH, osmolality, viscosity, particle size, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this position in CA is $74,000 – $85,000 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 regular participation 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.