Formulation Scientist - Oral Dosage Forms

Placements24; Redmond (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Learning opportunities

Advanced equipment access

Collaborative team

Job summary

Placements24 is actively seeking a Formulation Scientist to advance oral dosage form development in a dynamic pharmaceutical R&D setting. The role emphasizes pre-formulation, formulation design, and process optimization within a collaborative team.

The candidate will lead analytical method development, scale-up activities, and regulatory documentation, contributing to drug product performance and patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of solid dosage form technology (granulation, compression, coating, encapsulation).
• Experience with analytical techniques for drug product characterization and quality control.
• Understanding of GMP principles and regulatory requirements for drug development.
• Excellent scientific, technical, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize novel oral dosage formulations (tablets, capsules, powders) with desired release profiles and stability.
• Investigate and select excipients based on drug properties and dosage form.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for evaluating drug product performance (dissolution, assay, content uniformity).
• Execute lab-scale formulation development experiments and document results meticulously.
• Plan and execute scale-up activities from lab to pilot plant with robust processes.
• Collaborate with analytical development, manufacturing, and regulatory teams to ensure project progression.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process issues during development and scale-up.
• Stay updated with latest formulation science and regulatory guidelines.
• Prepare technical reports and development summaries for regulatory filings.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Data analysis

Problem solving

Project management

Education

MSc/PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished pharmaceutical research and development firm, is actively seeking a talented Formulation Scientist to contribute to their innovative work in Welkom, Free State . This role focuses on the design, development, and optimization of oral dosage forms, playing a critical part in bringing new and improved medications to market. You will be responsible for pre-formulation studies, formulation development, process optimization, and scale-up activities. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, excipient functionality, and drug delivery technologies. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a stimulating research environment and collaborate with a team of experts dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical science. You will contribute to projects that aim to enhance drug efficacy, patient compliance, and therapeutic outcomes. The position requires a blend of scientific rigor, creativity, and a hands-on approach to formulation development. We are seeking an individual who is passionate about creating effective and patient-centric pharmaceutical products. The role involves meticulous experimentation, data analysis, and the preparation of comprehensive documentation for regulatory submissions. Your expertise will be invaluable in shaping the future of drug product development at our client's organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize novel oral dosage formulations (e.g., tablets, capsules, powders for reconstitution) with desired release profiles and stability.
• Investigate and select appropriate excipients based on drug properties and intended dosage form.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for evaluating drug product performance (e.g., dissolution, assay, content uniformity).
• Execute laboratory-scale formulation development experiments and document results meticulously.
• Plan and execute scale-up activities from lab bench to pilot plant, ensuring process robustness.
• Collaborate with analytical development, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure successful project progression.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues encountered during development and scale-up.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in formulation science, drug delivery technologies, and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Prepare technical reports, development summaries, and contribute to regulatory filing documents.

Requirements

• MSc or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, specifically with oral dosage forms.
• Strong knowledge of solid dosage form technology, including granulation, compression, coating, and encapsulation.
• Familiarity with various excipients and their roles in drug product performance.
• Experience with analytical techniques used for characterization and quality control of drug products.
• Understanding of GMP principles and regulatory requirements for drug development.
• Excellent scientific, technical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits package.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Generous annual leave and paid public holidays.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
• Access to advanced formulation development equipment.
• Work on exciting and innovative pharmaceutical projects.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.