Formulation Scientist - Pharmaceutical Development

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 720,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

State-of-the-art facilities

Study leave

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Formulation Scientist in George, Western Cape, to design, develop, and optimize pharmaceutical formulations. You will work on drug delivery systems, from concept to commercialization, within a collaborative R&D team.

A strong scientific background and meticulous experimental design are essential. The role involves stability studies, analytical characterization, and regulatory documentation, while adhering to GMP and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Expertise in various dosage forms and drug delivery systems.
• Strong understanding of physical chemistry, material science, and pharmacokinetics.
• Proficiency in analytical methods relevant to formulation characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize novel pharmaceutical formulations (e.g., oral solids, injectables, topicals) for various therapeutic areas.
• Plan and execute stability studies to assess product shelf-life and performance.
• Utilize analytical techniques to characterize formulations and evaluate product quality.
• Prepare development reports, protocols, and regulatory submission documents.
• Troubleshoot formulation-related issues and propose viable solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs.
• Stay abreast of literature and advancements in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.
• Ensure activities comply with GMP and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Scientific writing

Education

MSc/PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmaceutics/Chemistry or related

Tools

Particle size analysis

Dissolution testing

Rheology

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

About the Role

Join Our client, a forward-thinking pharmaceutical company, as a Formulation Scientist in George, Western Cape . This exciting opportunity involves the design, development, and optimization of innovative drug delivery systems and pharmaceutical formulations. You will play a key role in bringing new medicinal products from concept to commercialization, working with a talented team of researchers and developers. This role requires a strong scientific background, creativity, and a meticulous approach to experimental design and execution. You will be contributing to cutting-edge research and development initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes. We are committed to fostering an environment of scientific excellence and collaboration, making this an ideal place for aspiring pharmaceutical scientists to grow their careers. The role is central to our pipeline and success.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize novel pharmaceutical formulations (e.g., oral solids, injectables, topicals) for various therapeutic areas.
• Plan and execute stability studies to assess product shelf-life and performance.
• Utilize various analytical techniques to characterize formulations and evaluate product quality.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, protocols, and regulatory submission documents.
• Troubleshoot formulation-related issues and propose viable solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and technological advancements in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.
• Ensure all activities comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other relevant regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands‑on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Expertise in various dosage forms and drug delivery systems.
• Strong understanding of physical chemistry, material science, and pharmacokinetics.
• Proficiency in analytical methods relevant to formulation characterization (e.g., particle size analysis, dissolution testing, rheology).
• Experience with regulatory requirements for drug development (e.g., FDA, EMA, SAHPRA).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively in a team.

Benefits

• This role offers a competitive salary, excellent health insurance, a retirement savings plan, opportunities for continued professional development, and access to state‑of‑the‑art research facilities.
• You will be working in the beautiful coastal city of George .
• Our client values work‑life balance and promotes a collaborative and innovative work culture.
• We also provide study leave for further academic pursuits relevant to the role.