Senior Formulation Scientist - Topical and Transdermal Products

Placements24; Kimberley; Remote; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist to lead topical and transdermal formulation development in a fully remote role. You will design, develop, optimize and scale formulations from lab to pilot scale, collaborating across analytical, regulatory and manufacturing teams.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with strong knowledge of drug delivery principles and excipient science.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master in pharmaceutics, chemical engineering, chemistry or related field.
• 5–7 years hands-on formulation development experience in pharma.
• Proven track record in designing and optimizing complex topical/transdermal formulations.
• Strong knowledge of drug delivery, excipients, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with scale-up and technology transfer within industry.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and develop topical and transdermal products (creams, gels, patches).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies and characterize APIs/excipients.
• Design experiments to optimize composition, processes and performance.
• Use analytical techniques for characterization and stability testing.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process issues during development and scale-up.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for new formulations.
• Collaborate with analytical, manufacturing, regulatory and project teams virtually.
• Prepare development reports, protocols and documentation.
• Stay current with topical/transdermal tech and literature.
• Contribute to IP generation and patent applications.

Skills

Topical formulation

Transdermal formulation

Analytical techniques

Scale-up

Drug delivery principles

Excipient science

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutics/ Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

DSC

TGA

Rheometer

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical research and development organization, is seeking an innovative Senior Formulation Scientist with deep expertise in topical and transdermal drug delivery systems. This role is integral to the design, development, and optimization of novel formulations that enhance drug efficacy and patient compliance. You will leverage your scientific knowledge to troubleshoot formulation challenges, characterize drug-excipient interactions, and scale up processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial manufacturing. This is a fully remote position, enabling you to contribute your specialized skills from anywhere, fostering a flexible and efficient research environment. Our client is committed to advancing drug delivery technologies and requires a self-motivated individual who excels in a virtual setting. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive innovation in Kimberley, Northern Cape, ZA, and contribute to the development of advanced pharmaceutical products.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and develop topical and transdermal drug products, including creams, ointments, gels, patches, and microneedle systems.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of APIs and excipients.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize formulation composition, manufacturing processes, and product performance.
• Utilize various analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA, rheology) for formulation characterization and stability testing.
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues during development and scale-up.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for new formulations.
• Collaborate effectively with analytical, manufacturing, regulatory, and project management teams in a virtual environment.
• Prepare detailed development reports, protocols, and other relevant documentation.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in topical and transdermal drug delivery technologies and relevant scientific literature.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation and patent applications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on experience in formulation development of topical and transdermal products within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record in designing, developing, and optimizing complex formulations.
• In-depth knowledge of drug delivery principles, excipient science, and manufacturing processes for topical/transdermal dosage forms.
• Proficiency with a range of analytical and characterization techniques relevant to formulation development.
• Experience with scale-up and technology