Senior Scientist, Early Pharmaceutics

Evote; Verona; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Evotec in Verona seeks an experienced Senior Scientist – Formulation & Physical Characterisation to drive high-quality formulation development for early-stage drug programmes. The role demands scientific expertise, problem solving, and the ability to execute and interpret complex experiments with limited supervision.

You will shape formulation strategy, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to project delivery while ensuring data integrity and robust documentation.

Qualifications

• Pharmaceutical formulation science knowledge required.
• Experience in early-stage drug development is beneficial.
• Ability to independently design, execute, and interpret complex experiments.
• Expertise in formulation development, optimisation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong analytical thinking and scientific judgement in complex situations.
• Ability to translate data into technical recommendations.
• Experience managing multiple projects and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop formulation and physical characterisation activities for assigned projects with minimal supervision.
• Design, execute, analyse, and interpret complex experimental programmes.
• Provide senior scientific input into project decisions and formulation strategy.
• Review data, reports, and documentation for scientific integrity.
• Communicate findings through reports and project discussions.
• Contribute to project planning, timelines, and risk assessment.
• Mentor junior scientists and share knowledge across teams.

Skills

Pharmaceutical formulation knowledge

Physical characterisation

Independent planning & execution

Formulation development expertise

Analytical data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field

MSc or equivalent in Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmaceutics/Pharmacy/Chemistry

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Scientist – Formulation & Physical Characterisation to deliver high-quality formulation development activities supporting early-stage drug development programmes.

This role requires scientific expertise, problem-solving ability, and the confidence to execute, and interpret complex experimental programmes. The successful candidate will provide contribute to formulation strategy, and support cross-functional project delivery within a collaborative R&D environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop formulation and physical characterization activities with minimum support from Research Expert for assigned projects, delivering results to agreed quality, safety, and timeline expectations.
• Design, execute, analyse, and interpret complex experimental programmes to support development objectives.
• Apply advanced scientific knowledge and judgement to solve challenging formulation problems with minimal supervision.
• Develop and adapt experimental strategies based on project needs, emerging data, and technical risk assessment.
• Provide senior scientific input into project decisions and formulation strategy development.
• Critically review experimental data, technical reports, and laboratory documentation to ensure scientific robustness and data integrity.
• Communicate findings effectively through reports, presentations, and project discussions.
• Support project planning through timeline estimation, resource planning, and risk identification.
• Collaborate with research experts, scientists, and cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing to junior scientists.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards, procedures, and good documentation practices.
• Take ownership of laboratory responsibilities, equipment oversight, and continuous improvement activities.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical formulation science and physical characterisation techniques.
• Experience in early-stage drug development environments will be good.
• Proven ability to independently plan, execute, and interpret complex scientific experiments.
• Expertise in formulation development, optimisation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong analytical thinking and scientific judgement in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Ability to translate experimental data into clear technical recommendations.
• Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, and timelines effectively.
• Strong understanding of data integrity, laboratory documentation, and quality standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence technical discussions.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Core Competencies

• Scientific and sound technical judgement.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Ability to build effective multidisciplinary collaborations across Discovery and Pharmaceutical Development.
• Mentoring junior scientists.
• Innovative mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, customer-driven environment.

Qualifications

• PhD (preferred), MSc or equivalent in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacy, Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• 4-5 years of relevant industrial experience in pharmaceutical development.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary pharmaceutical development projects within a customer-focused environment.

Languages

• Excellent written and spoken English is essential.
• Additional languages (Italian, German or French) are considered an advantage.

Target hire date: 1 October 2026

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.