Lead Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous annual leave

Training & conferences

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA, seeks a Lead Formulation Scientist to design, develop, and optimize pharmaceutical formulations across dosage forms. You will guide a team of scientists and collaborate with regulatory and manufacturing groups to drive development from concept to scale-up.

The role emphasizes leadership, deep formulation expertise, and strategic project management within a dynamic R&D setting in the pharmaceutical sector.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years in pharmaceutical formulation development, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Expertise in various dosage forms and drug delivery systems.
• Strong knowledge of pre-formulation, excipient compatibility, stability testing, and scale-up.
• Experience preparing regulatory submission documents (e.g., IND, NDA, ANDA).
• Excellent leadership and project management and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of various dosage forms (e.g., oral solid, liquid, sterile injectables).
• Design and execute pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize stable and bioavailable drug formulations using advanced technologies.
• Plan and conduct stability studies according to ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee process development and scale-up activities from laboratory to pilot and commercial manufacturing.
• Manage and mentor a team of formulation scientists, guiding their research and development efforts.
• Collaborate with analytical development teams to establish appropriate testing methods for formulations.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, development summaries, and regulatory submission documents.
• Stay current with scientific literature, industry trends, and emerging technologies in pharmaceutical formulation.
• Troubleshoot formulation-related issues encountered during development and manufacturing.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Team mentoring

Strategic thinking

Education

PhD or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished organization in the **Pharmaceutical** sector, is seeking a highly skilled Lead Formulation Scientist to join their innovative research and development team in **Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA**. This senior role is critical for designing, developing, and optimizing pharmaceutical formulations for both novel and generic drug products. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in various dosage forms and advanced drug delivery systems, coupled with a strong understanding of pre-formulation studies, stability testing, and scale-up processes. You will lead a team of scientists, drive research initiatives, and collaborate closely with cross-functional departments, including analytical development, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing. This position presents a compelling opportunity to shape the future of drug product development within a dynamic and supportive environment. Contribute to bringing essential medicines to patients by leveraging your scientific acumen in our **Durban** facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of various dosage forms (e.g., oral solid, liquid, sterile injectables).
• Design and execute pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize stable and bioavailable drug formulations using advanced technologies.
• Plan and conduct stability studies according to ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee process development and scale-up activities from laboratory to pilot and commercial manufacturing.
• Manage and mentor a team of formulation scientists, guiding their research and development efforts.
• Collaborate with analytical development teams to establish appropriate testing methods for formulations.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, development summaries, and regulatory submission documents.
• Stay current with scientific literature, industry trends, and emerging technologies in pharmaceutical formulation.
• Troubleshoot formulation-related issues encountered during development and manufacturing.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Expertise in various dosage forms and drug delivery systems.
• Strong knowledge of pre-formulation, excipient compatibility, stability testing, and scale-up principles.
• Proficiency with common laboratory equipment used in formulation development.
• Experience in preparing regulatory submission documents (e.g., IND, NDA, ANDA).
• Excellent leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Familiarity with the **KwaZulu-Natal, ZA** pharmaceutical R&D landscape is beneficial.

Benefits

• Attractive base salary complemented by annual performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement savings fund with employer contributions.
• Generous annual leave and other paid time off.
• Opportunities for advanced training, workshops, and scientific conferences.
• Access to cutting-edge R&D facilities and equipment.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment in **Durban**.
• Potential for relocation assistance for qualified candidates.