Formulation Scientist

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Generous paid time off and conference/

State-of-the-art lab facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Formulation Scientist for an East London, South Africa, hybrid role. You will develop and optimize pharmaceutical dosage forms and contribute remotely to data analysis, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration. The position emphasizes stability, bioavailability, and regulatory-ready documentation.

The role requires hands-on lab work and remote scientific analysis, with opportunities to work across drug substances in a dynamic R&D environment.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Chemistry is required.
• Experience in pharmaceutical formulation development is essential.
• Proficiency with analytical techniques such as HPLC and dissolution testing.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize tablet, capsule, injectables dosage forms.
• Characterize drug-excipient compatibility and conduct pre-formulation studies.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation testing.
• Conduct stability studies according to ICH guidelines.
• Troubleshoot development challenges and scale-up issues.
• Prepare technical reports and regulatory submission documents.

Education

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Chemistry

Tools

HPLC systems

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced Formulation Scientist to contribute to their drug development efforts in East London. This hybrid role will involve laboratory-based work developing and optimizing pharmaceutical formulations, alongside remote responsibilities for data analysis, report writing, and cross-functional team collaboration. You will focus on designing stable, effective, and bioavailable dosage forms for new and existing drug substances, working within a dynamic research and development environment. This is a significant opportunity for a scientist passionate about bringing new therapies from concept to clinical reality, with a balance of on-site lab work and remote intellectual contribution.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize various pharmaceutical dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables).
• Characterize drug-excipient compatibility and conduct pre-formulation studies.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation testing.
• Conduct stability studies according to ICH guidelines.
• Troubleshoot formulation development challenges and scale-up issues.
• Prepare technical reports, development summaries, and regulatory submission documents.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in dosage form design, development, and manufacturing principles.
• Proficiency with relevant analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing).
• Familiarity with regulatory guidelines (e.g., ICH, SAHPRA) related to drug product development.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing hands‑on laboratory work with remote scientific analysis and communication.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and potential for annual bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Generous paid time off and opportunities for scientific conferences.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and collaborative R&D teams.