Formulation Scientist - Solid Dosage Forms

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement annuity fund

Growth opportunities

On-site in Mossel Bay

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Formulation Scientist specialising in solid dosage forms to join their R&D team in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. This on-site role focuses on designing stable, effective solid oral dosage forms such as tablets and capsules, from pre-formulation through scale-up and transfer to manufacturing.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and has 4+ years in solid dosage development, with hands-on tablet manufacturing experience.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, specifically with solid oral dosage forms.
• Hands-on experience with tablet manufacturing equipment (e.g., wet/dry granulation, direct compression, tablet presses, coating machines).
• Strong understanding of material science, powder technology, and drug delivery principles.
• Familiarity with GMP and pharmaceutical development guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop novel solid oral dosage formulations (tablets, capsules).
• Conduct pre-formation studies to understand API/excipient properties.
• Select excipients and optimize formulations for drug release, stability, and bioavailability.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for solid dosage forms (granulation, compression, coating, encapsulation).
• Plan and execute laboratory-scale experiments, analyze data, document findings.
• Support technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing scale-up and commercial production.
• Collaborate with analytical scientists to develop/validate analytical methods for formulation characterization and QC.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process issues during development and manufacturing.
• Stay updated on industry trends, regulatory requirements related to solid dosage form development.
• Prepare technical reports and sections of regulatory submissions.

Skills

Solid dosage formulation

GMP compliance

Pre-formulation studies

Scale-up

Education

Master's or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled Formulation Scientist specializing in solid dosage forms to join their innovative research and development team in Mossel Bay, Western Cape . This position is crucial for the development of new pharmaceutical products, focusing on designing stable, effective, and manufacturable solid oral dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. You will be involved in all stages of formulation development, from pre‑formulation studies and excipient selection to process development and scale‑up activities. This is an on‑site role requiring hands‑on laboratory work and collaboration with cross‑functional teams, including analytical development, process engineering, and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of physical pharmacy, materials science, and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes related to solid dosage forms. You will contribute to the company’s pipeline by bringing novel drug candidates through development and towards commercialization, ensuring high‑quality product performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop novel solid oral dosage formulations (tablets, capsules) for various therapeutic areas.
• Conduct pre‑formation studies to understand the physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Select appropriate excipients and optimize formulation compositions to achieve desired drug release profiles, stability, and bioavailability.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for solid dosage forms, including granulation, compression, coating, and encapsulation.
• Plan and execute laboratory‑scale experiments, analyze data, and document findings thoroughly.
• Support technology transfer activities from R&D to manufacturing scale‑up and commercial production.
• Collaborate with analytical scientists to develop and validate appropriate analytical methods for formulation characterization and quality control.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process‑related issues encountered during development and manufacturing.
• Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and regulatory requirements related to solid dosage form development.
• Prepare technical reports, development summaries, and relevant sections of regulatory submission documents.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, specifically with solid oral dosage forms.
• Hands‑on experience with common formulation techniques and equipment used for tablet manufacturing (e.g., wet/dry granulation, direct compression, tablet presses, coating machines).
• Strong understanding of material science, powder technology, and drug delivery principles.
• Knowledge of various excipients and their functionality in solid dosage formulations.
• Experience with analytical techniques used for characterizing solid dosage forms (e.g., dissolution testing, hardness, friability, particle size analysis).
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and pharmaceutical development guidelines.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and a meticulous approach to experimentation and documentation.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with diverse scientific teams.
• Experience with process scale‑up and technology transfer is a significant advantage.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications. The benefits include comprehensive medical aid, a retirement annuity fund, and opportunities for professional growth and development within the company. This role is based on‑site in the scenic town of Mossel Bay, Western Cape , providing a stable work environment and the chance to contribute to cutting‑edge pharmaceutical development. You will be part of an innovative R&D team, working with state‑of‑the‑art equipment and contributing to the creation of vital new medicines.