Lead Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Professional development support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist for our client in George, Western Cape. The role focuses on leading formulation development from concept through pre-clinical and early clinical support, shaping drug delivery strategies and selecting excipients to optimize stability and release.

You will mentor a team of scientists, design pre-formulation studies, and drive regulatory-readiness through development reports and submission documents.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or related field.
• 8+ years in pharmaceutical formulation development with at least 2 years in a lead role.
• Hands-on experience with solid oral dosage forms and controlled-release technologies.
• Strong knowledge of drug-excipient interactions and analytical techniques (HPLC, DSC, XRD).

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of NCEs and improved drug products across dosage forms.
• Design and execute pre-formulation studies including solubility and stability.
• Select excipients and optimize formulations for release, bioavailability, and stability.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for scalability and reproducibility.
• Oversee preparation of formulations for pre-clinical and early clinical work.
• Conduct literature reviews and stay updated on formulation and drug-delivery advances.
• Provide leadership to a team of formulation scientists, including mentoring.
• Prepare development reports and regulatory submission documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Formulation science

HPLC

DSC

XRD

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

DSC

XRD

Job description

"

About the Role

Our client, a prominent pharmaceutical company, is seeking an innovative and experienced Lead Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their esteemed Research and Development department in George, Western Cape . This critical role involves leading the formulation development of novel pharmaceutical products, from early-stage conceptualization through to pre-clinical and clinical trial support. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of drug delivery systems, excipient selection, and solid dosage form development. This position offers an exciting challenge for a scientist passionate about advancing pharmaceutical science and contributing to the development of life-changing medicines. The Lead Scientist will be responsible for guiding a team of formulation scientists, ensuring the successful execution of development projects, and driving innovation in pharmaceutical dosage forms. This role is central to our client's mission of bringing effective and safe therapies to patients worldwide. Your expertise will be invaluable in shaping the future of our drug development pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of new chemical entities (NCEs) and improved existing drug products, focusing on various dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables).


• Design and execute pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.


• Select appropriate excipients and optimize formulation compositions to achieve desired drug release profiles, bioavailability, and stability.


• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for various dosage forms, ensuring scalability and reproducibility.


• Oversee the preparation of formulations for pre-clinical toxicology studies and early-phase clinical trials.


• Conduct scientific literature searches and stay abreast of the latest advancements in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery technologies.


• Provide scientific and technical leadership to a team of formulation scientists, including mentoring and performance management.


• Prepare comprehensive formulation development reports, summaries, and regulatory submission documents.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related field.


• Minimum of 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.


• Extensive hands-on experience with various dosage forms, particularly solid oral dosage forms and controlled-release technologies.


• Strong understanding of drug-excipient interactions, physical chemistry, and analytical techniques used in formulation development (e.g., HPLC, DSC, XRD).


• Proven ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw sound scientific conclusions.


• Experience with technology transfer to manufacturing and pilot plant scale-up activities.


• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.


• Familiarity with regulatory guidelines relevant to drug product development (e.g., ICH).

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary reflecting the seniority and expertise required for this role.


• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.


• Performance-based bonuses and potential for stock options.


• Generous allowance for professional development, including conference attendance and further education.


• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.


• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.


• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and cutting-edge technologies.

"