Summary

This is a 6-month co-op that begins in January 2027, with the option to extend through the summer. Panther is building the delivery platform that lets any partner place its treatment precisely into the skin, and algorithmic formulation is where every product starts. AI models built on Panther's own data take a partner's active ingredient, target release profile, SmartPatch geometry and regulatory requirements, and generate candidate formulations. They then screen those candidates in silico for solubility, molecular interactions, mechanical strength and shelf stability. Only the strongest move on to physical testing. Panther is looking for an AI and machine learning researcher with a strong chemistry foundation who wants to apply computational methods to real formulation and drug delivery problems. You will work directly with the R&D team to build models that help us understand and predict how our formulations, active ingredients and patches behave.

Job description

The Opportunity

This is a 6-month co-op that begins in January 2027, with the option to extend through the summer. Panther is building the delivery platform that lets any partner place its treatment precisely into the skin, and algorithmic formulation is where every product starts. AI models built on Panther's own data take a partner's active ingredient, target release profile, SmartPatch geometry and regulatory requirements, and generate candidate formulations. They then screen those candidates in silico for solubility, molecular interactions, mechanical strength and shelf stability. Only the strongest move on to physical testing. Panther is looking for an AI and machine learning researcher with a strong chemistry foundation who wants to apply computational methods to real formulation and drug delivery problems. You will work directly with the R&D team to build models that help us understand and predict how our formulations, active ingredients and patches behave.

What You Will Do

Build machine learning models that predict formulation properties such as stability, solubility, dissolution and compatibility between actives and polymers.
Apply physical chemistry and molecular modeling, including molecular dynamics, to study small molecules, peptides, proteins and polymers.
Develop physics-based and generative models of transport, such as how formulations dissolve and diffuse through skin over time.
Work with small, high-quality experimental datasets, using synthetic data generation to augment and anchor real lab data.
Benchmark open-source foundation models and scientific AI tools, and recommend which ones Panther should adopt for R&D and formulation work.
Partner with formulation and lab teams in Pittsburgh to turn experimental data into models, and models into experiments worth running.
Document methods and results clearly, and present findings to the CTO and the wider team.

Qualifications

Advanced degree in chemical engineering, materials science, pharmaceutical sciences or computational chemistry, or a BS with 2+ years of equivalent industry experience.
Solid chemistry foundation: physical and organic chemistry, molecular structure and interactions, and how formulation chemistry affects stability and performance. This is a core requirement.
Hands-on machine learning experience, ideally with generative models and data-scarce problems, including synthetic data strategies.
Experience with molecular dynamics, cheminformatics or molecular modeling tools.
Strong foundation in physics and numerical simulation, such as fluid dynamics, transport or multi-scale modeling.
Proficiency in Python and the scientific computing stack.
Familiarity with ML frameworks and open-source models.
Interest in life sciences, drug delivery or skincare. Biology background is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with dissolvable microneedles, transdermal or intradermal delivery.
Using LLMs or generative models for materials or formulation discovery.
Publications, patents or invention disclosures in drug delivery or computational formulation.
Startup experience: building tools from scratch and switching between cosmetic, medical-device and partner projects.

Requirements

Advanced degree in chemical engineering, materials science, pharmaceutical sciences or computational chemistry, or a BS with 2+ years of equivalent industry experience
Solid chemistry foundation: physical and organic chemistry, molecular structure and interactions, and how formulation chemistry affects stability and performance
Hands-on machine learning experience, ideally with generative models and data-scarce problems, including synthetic data strategies
Experience with molecular dynamics, cheminformatics or molecular modeling tools
Strong foundation in physics and numerical simulation, such as fluid dynamics, transport or multi-scale modeling
Proficiency in Python and the scientific computing stack
Familiarity with ML frameworks and open-source models
Interest in life sciences, drug delivery or skincare
Biology background is a plus
Experience with dissolvable microneedles, transdermal or intradermal delivery
Using LLMs or generative models for materials or formulation discovery
Publications, patents or invention disclosures in drug delivery or computational formulation
Startup experience: building tools from scratch and switching between cosmetic, medical-device and partner projects

Benefits

Equity
In-person company events
Fully stocked kitchen
In-office lunch twice a week

Company overview

Panther Life Sciences is an innovative biotechnology company founded in 2023 that is revolutionizing transdermal drug delivery through its proprietary dissolvable microarray patch (MAP) technology. Based in Seattle, Washington, the company leverages deep understanding of skin biology combined with advanced engineering to develop shelf-stable treatments that can be self-administered by patients globally. Panther's MAP technology delivers precise, pain-free treatments directly to the immune-rich layers of the skin, enabling more effective and accessible healthcare solutions. The company focuses on two main areas: skin health treatments for conditions like coloration, wrinkles, and scars, and therapeutics for immunological disorders including infectious diseases, cancer, allergies, and autoimmune conditions. Panther's platform integrates AI and silicon modeling to accelerate development and offers automated data integration across its ecosystem of consumers, providers, and treatment developers. The company partners with pharmaceutical, biotech, and skincare firms to deliver a comprehensive pipeline of treatments and is led by an accomplished team of doctors, scientists, engineers, and commercial professionals with expertise from organizations like Operation Warp Speed.