Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Willows (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Medical coverage

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Conference funding

State-of-the-art facilities

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join its advanced formulation center. You will design, develop, and optimize innovative dosage forms and delivery systems, driving stability, bioavailability, and regulatory readiness.

We seek a PhD or MSc with 5–7 years in formulation development, strong analytical and teamwork skills, and a commitment to scientific excellence in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5-7 years hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in dosage forms, with emphasis on oral solids and sterile injectables.
• Deep understanding of drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, and physical chemistry relevant to formulation.
• Experience with common pharmaceutical analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, dissolution testing, DSC, TGA).
• Familiarity with GMP guidelines and regulatory requirements for drug product development and manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and ability to present complex scientific information.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations for various therapeutic areas, including oral solid dosage forms, parenteral products, and topical delivery systems.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including API and excipient characterization.
• Optimize formulations based on stability, bioavailability, manufacturability, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform formulation development activities, including excipient selection, compatibility studies, and process development.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for assessing drug product performance, such as dissolution, content uniformity, and stability testing.
• Collaborate closely with analytical development, DMPK, CMC, and manufacturing teams throughout the drug development lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues, providing scientific expertise and solutions.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, protocols, and regulatory submission documents.
• Stay abreast of latest scientific advancements, technologies, and regulatory trends in pharmaceutical formulation.

Skills

Formulation development

Analytical characterization

Team collaboration

Scientific writing

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutics

Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

DSC

TGA

GC

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical research and development organization, is seeking a highly innovative and experienced Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their advanced R&D center in Welkom. This role is central to the discovery and development of novel drug delivery systems and dosage forms that enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise in physical chemistry, materials science, and pharmaceutics to design, develop, and optimize various formulations. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge pharmaceutical innovation within a company that is dedicated to improving global health through scientific advancement. The position demands creativity, rigorous scientific methodology, and a passion for drug development.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations for various therapeutic areas, including oral solid dosage forms, parenteral products, and topical delivery systems.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Optimize formulations based on stability, bioavailability, manufacturability, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform formulation development activities, including excipient selection, compatibility studies, and process development.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for assessing drug product performance, such as dissolution, content uniformity, and stability testing.
• Collaborate closely with analytical development, DMPK, CMC, and manufacturing teams throughout the drug development lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues, providing scientific expertise and solutions.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, protocols, and regulatory submission documents.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements, technologies, and regulatory trends in pharmaceutical formulation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in developing various dosage forms, with a strong preference for oral solids and/or sterile injectables.
• In-depth understanding of drug delivery principles, pharmacokinetics, and physical chemistry relevant to formulation.
• Experience with common pharmaceutical analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, dissolution testing, DSC, TGA).
• Familiarity with GMP guidelines and regulatory requirements for drug product development and manufacturing.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and data interpretation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with potential for bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Funding for scientific conferences and continuous learning.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment.
• A collaborative and innovative R&D culture.