Analytical Development Scientist - Pharmaceutical R&D

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance-based incentives

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, is seeking an Analytical Development Scientist to drive development, validation and transfer of analytical methods for drug substances and products. The role collaborates with formulation, process development and QA in a cutting-edge pharmaceutical R&D setting.

The successful candidate will contribute to stability testing, quality control, and data integrity while aligning with cgMP/ICH guidelines in a fast-paced, hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Analytical Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• 5+ years of analytical development experience in pharma.
• Hands-on with HPLC/UPLC, method development and validation.
• Familiar with GC, MS, FTIR, UV-Vis and dissolution testing.
• Knowledge of cGMP, ICH guidelines and regulatory submissions.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize and validate analytical methods for APIs and products.
• Transfer methods to QC labs and external partners.
• Author validation reports and development summaries.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP, GLP and regulatory guidelines.
• Stay current with analytical tech and regulatory expectations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project timelines.

Skills

HPLC/UPLC

Method development

Method validation

GC

MS

FTIR

UV-Vis

Dissolution testing

Education

Ph.D./MSc in Analytical Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent Pharmaceutical research and development company, is seeking an innovative and skilled Analytical Development Scientist for its state-of-the-art facility in Sandton, Gauteng. This role is central to the development and validation of analytical methods required for the characterization, quality control, and stability testing of new drug substances and drug products. The successful candidate will play a key part in advancing our client’s pipeline, working collaboratively with formulation, process development, and quality assurance teams. This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented scientist to make a significant impact in Sandton within a cutting-edge Pharmaceutical R&D environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate robust analytical methods (e.g., HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, dissolution, Karl Fischer) for raw materials, intermediates, and finished pharmaceutical products.
• Characterize drug substances and drug products, including purity, potency, impurity profiling, and stability assessment.
• Perform method transfer activities to QC laboratories and external partners.
• Troubleshoot analytical issues and provide scientific support to manufacturing and quality control.
• Author and review analytical method validation reports, development summaries, and other technical documentation.
• Ensure all analytical activities are conducted in compliance with cGMP, GLP, and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Stay current with scientific literature, new analytical technologies, and regulatory expectations.
• Contribute to the design and execution of stability studies.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to support project timelines and goals.
• Participate in the selection and qualification of new analytical instrumentation.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation and scientific publications.
• Manage analytical data integrity and laboratory documentation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in analytical development within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Extensive hands-on experience with HPLC/UPLC, method development, and validation.
• Proficiency in other analytical techniques such as GC, MS, FTIR, UV-Vis, and dissolution testing.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical R&D processes, drug product formulation, and quality control.
• Knowledge of cGMP, ICH guidelines, and regulatory submission requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong technical writing and communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in Sandton, Gauteng, or similar Pharmaceutical R&D hubs is preferred.
• Familiarity with QbD principles is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, retirement fund, and performance-based incentives. This role provides excellent opportunities for career advancement and professional development through continuous learning and challenging projects within the Pharmaceutical industry. The position is based in Sandton, Gauteng, offering a modern and stimulating work environment with a hybrid work model. Join our client and contribute to the development of innovative medicines that improve global health.