R&D Pharmacist

Hovid Bhd; Chemor; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hovid Bhd in Malaysia is seeking an Research & Development Pharmacist to develop new formulations, improve existing ones, and support scale-up and regulatory registration activities.

You will collaborate with QA/QC, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Production, and Sales to ensure transfer of know-how and successful manufacturing across product life cycles, with emphasis on cGMP practices and cross-functional teamwork.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy and registration with the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia.
• Master Preceptor status in industry.
• Experience in pharmaceutical formulation development or R&D preferred.
• Experience in a cGMP pharmaceutical production environment is an advantage.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving with leadership and multitasking abilities.
• Able to collaborate with stakeholders at different levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop new pharmaceutical formulations in various dosage forms at lab scale.
• Establish process parameters and finished-product specifications.
• Assess packaging, machinery and environmental requirements for new products.
• Coordinate scale-up, stability data, and registration with Regulatory Affairs.
• Transfer formulation knowledge to production and customers as needed.
• Lead or support cross-functional validation and product-transfer activities.
• Provide technical guidance to Production, QA, QC, Regulatory Affairs, and Sales.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Multitasking

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy

Master Preceptor

Registered with Pharmacy Board of Malaysia

Job description

The Research & Development Pharmacist is responsible for developing new pharmaceutical products, improving existing formulations, supporting scale-up and registration activities, and transferring formulation knowledge for successful manufacturing. The role works closely with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Production, Sales and Marketing, and other relevant functions.

Key Responsibilities

1. New Product Formulation Development

• Conduct literature searches and evaluate suitable sources of raw materials for product development.
• Develop pharmaceutical formulations in various dosage forms at laboratory scale.
• Establish critical process parameters and proposed finished-product specifications.
• Assess packaging, machinery, and environmental requirements for new products.
• Arrange relevant efficacy studies, including sensory evaluation, clinical studies, or bioequivalence studies where required.

2. Scale-Up, Stability & Registration Support

• Scale up laboratory formulations and generate development data to support product registration.
• Evaluate and monitor new-product stability data in collaboration with R&D Chemists.
• Prepare and provide product information and development reports to Regulatory Affairs during registration activities.
• Coordinate with Production on scale-up batches and trial runs.

3. Existing Product Improvement & Troubleshooting

• Investigate and troubleshoot manufacturing-process issues and optimize manufacturing procedures.
• Modify and improve existing product formulations to meet updated technical, regulatory, or bioequivalence requirements.
• Investigate and resolve product stability concerns.

4. Cross-Functional Product Development

• Coordinate with Quality Control on product analysis and testing requirements.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain on raw-material sourcing and procurement.
• Work with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Production, and other relevant departments on new-product validation activities.
• Provide technical assistance to Production, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory Affairs, Sales and Marketing, and other stakeholders when required.
• Lead or support the transfer of new-product technology to customers or manufacturing sites.
• Communicate product technical knowledge, process requirements, and special validation considerations to support successful commercial manufacturing.
• Provide technical guidance during process validation and initial manufacturing batches.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy and registration with the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia.
• Certified Master Preceptor in an industry setting, with proven experience in preceptorship.
• Relevant experience in pharmaceutical formulation development or research and development (R&D) is preferred.
• Experience in a cGMP pharmaceutical production environment is an advantage.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability with a positive and practical approach.
• Able to work effectively with stakeholders at different organizational levels and demonstrate leadership capability.
• Strong multitasking skills with the ability to deliver accurate and timely results.

Key Attributes

• Scientific curiosity and a structured approach to formulation development.
• Good analytical, documentation, and technical-reporting skills.
• Collaborative and able to coordinate multiple development activities.
• Detail-oriented, quality-conscious, and committed to accurate work.
• Adaptable and able to manage changing project priorities.

Hovid (formerly known as Ho Yan Hor) carries with her years of invaluable experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dating back to early 1940s, when the business was first established, Hovid's only commodity was Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea, concocted by its founder, Dr Ho Kai Cheong. With the intention of helping people, Dr Ho Kai Cheong formulated a unique concoction of 24 specially chosen herbs and developed Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea. It was a popular alternative to western medicine during post World War II with its Cooling and Anti Viral properties. Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea was the most seek after solution during the Worldwide Flu Epidemic in 1950s. Since then, Ho Yan Hor has become a household name. After 74 years, Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea still remains as the favorite among many as a natural herbal beverage.

In the 1980s, along with his father's success, David Ho, as a well trained pharmacist, led Hovid into a new chapter of manufacturing excellence. Armed with expertise in pharmacy with strong passion of entrepreneurship, David ventured into mainstream medical approaches. From that point on, Hovid grew to become one of the Malaysia's leading pharmaceutical manufacturers of high quality and innovative medicinal preparations and health supplements with more than 400 products distributed over 50 countries globally.

Listed on the Main Board of Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, Hovid spells familiarity and quality among healthcare providers. With the various divisions in the organization that have been established through years of experience, we are able to deliver speed, excellence and above all, Continuous Innovation and Quality.

Hovid (formerly known as Ho Yan Hor) carries with her years of invaluable experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dating back to early 1940s, when the business was first established, Hovid's only commodity was Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea, concocted by its founder, Dr Ho Kai Cheong. With the intention of helping people, Dr Ho Kai Cheong formulated a unique concoction of 24 specially chosen herbs and developed Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea. It was a popular alternative to western medicine during post World War II with its Cooling and Anti Viral properties. Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea was the most seek after solution during the Worldwide Flu Epidemic in 1950s. Since then, Ho Yan Hor has become a household name. After 74 years, Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea still remains as the favorite among many as a natural herbal beverage.

In the 1980s, along with his father's success, David Ho, as a well trained pharmacist, led Hovid into a new chapter of manufacturing excellence. Armed with expertise in pharmacy with strong passion of entrepreneurship, David ventured into mainstream medical approaches. From that point on, Hovid grew to become one of the Malaysia's leading pharmaceutical manufacturers of high quality and innovative medicinal preparations and health supplements with more than 400 products distributed over 50 countries globally.

Listed on the Main Board of Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, Hovid spells familiarity and quality among healthcare providers. With the various divisions in the organization that have been established through years of experience, we are able to deliver speed, excellence and above all, Continuous Innovation and Quality.