Lead Formulation Scientist - Pharmaceuticals

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

State-of-the-art laboratories in Cape 

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Lead Formulation Scientist to direct formulation development for novel pharma products. You’ll oversee the full lifecycle from feasibility studies to tech transfer, guiding a team of scientists and technicians in a GMP environment.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in pharmaceutical formulation, a PhD/ MSc in a related field, and deep knowledge of solid dosage forms, sterile injectables, and drug-delivery technologies. Relocation support is available.

Qualifications

• MSc or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Experience with solid dosage forms, sterile injectables, and controlled-release systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of innovative dosage form formulations (oral, injectable, topical).
• Design experiments for pre-formulation, stability testing, and dissolution.
• Oversee scale-up and technology transfer from lab to manufacturing.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of scientists.
• Ensure cGMP and regulatory guidelines are followed; collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

MSc/PhD in Pharmaceutics or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client seeks an accomplished Lead Formulation Scientist to direct and manage formulation development activities for novel pharmaceutical products in Cape Town . This senior position is critical to translating promising drug candidates into stable, effective, and manufacturable dosage forms. You will oversee the entire formulation lifecycle, from early-stage feasibility studies to late-stage process development and technology transfer. The ideal candidate will bring extensive expertise in various dosage forms, a strong understanding of pharmaceutical materials science, and proven leadership capabilities to guide a team of scientists and technicians in a challenging yet rewarding research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of innovative and robust dosage form formulations for various routes of administration (e.g., oral, injectable, topical).
• Design and execute experimental plans for pre-formulation studies, stability testing, and dissolution profiling.
• Oversee the scale-up and technology transfer of formulated products from laboratory to manufacturing scale.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of formulation scientists and technicians.
• Ensure all formulation activities comply with cGMP , regulatory guidelines, and internal quality standards.
• Collaborate with analytical development, process engineering, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure successful product development.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in developing various dosage forms, including solid dosage forms, sterile injectables, and controlled-release systems.
• In-depth knowledge of material science, excipient compatibility, and drug delivery technologies.
• Experience with laboratory equipment used in formulation development and characterization.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and retirement benefits package.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
• Access to advanced formulation technologies and state-of-the-art laboratories in Cape Town .
• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership development within a leading pharmaceutical company.