Arxada is seeking to accelerate biocide formulation development, improve predictive decision-making, and shorten lab iteration cycles by developing an AI/ML platform.
Requirements
- Strong experimental design/DoE and statistical analysis skills (JMP, Design-Expert, R, Python, or similar).
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with data scientists on predictive modeling and/or optimization projects.
- Proficiency with ELNs/LIMS and data hygiene—able to structure datasets for modeling and ensure reproducibility.
- Cheminformatics/QSAR/QSPR familiarity (e.g., molecular descriptors, RDKit) and property estimation.
- Exposure to Bayesian optimization, active learning, or multi-objective optimization for formulations.
- Experience with model interpretability (SHAP/feature importance) and applicability domain.
- Hands-on experience with Azure ML, Databricks, or similar ML platforms; dashboarding with Power BI / other.
Responsibilities
- Convert business/scientific questions into model requirements (e.g., predict stability phase separation, viscosity drift, microbial kill under specific conditions, raw-material compatibility, cost/COGS optimization).
- Specify and prioritize features/inputs (formulation composition, physical-chemical properties, process parameters, storage conditions, raw-material attributes).
- Partner on model selection & validation (regression/classification, Bayesian optimization, active learning, multi-objective optimization).
- Define acceptance criteria (accuracy, applicability domain, explainability).
- Lead lab validation loops: design confirmatory experiments, refine datasets, and iterate with the data scientist.
- Work with Data Scientists to generate high-quality datasets for model training/validation.
- Define and develop code to utilize LLMs to optimize for target product profiles (efficacy, stability, cost-in-use, sensory, compatibility, sustainability constraints).
Other
- MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related; or BS with 7+ years relevant experience.
- 3–5+ years in formulation development (biocides, preservatives, antimicrobials, or adjacent fields such as HI&I, coatings, personal care, agrochemicals, pharmaceutical development).
- Train and coach bench scientists on using AI tools in everyday formulation work.
- Create clear communication artifacts (model cards, SOPs, one-pagers, and decision trees).
- Drive efficiency where AI can eliminate iterations, reduce time-to-lab, and de-risk scale-up.
