Lead Scientist - Pharmaceutical Development

Placements24

Durban

Hybrid

ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan with company M

Career advancement in Durban

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a dynamic Lead Scientist in Durban to spearhead pharmaceutical development and scale-up initiatives. You will guide formulation strategies, optimize processes, and ensure regulatory readiness across preclinical and clinical supply.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s with 7+ years in pharma R&D, proven leadership, and strong cross-functional collaboration to drive projects through the development pipeline in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

Master's or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field.
7+ years in pharma R&D focusing on formulation and manufacturing.
Proven ability to lead R&D teams and manage complex projects.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage teams of scientists and technicians involved in pharmaceutical formulation and process development.
Oversee design and execution of studies for drug product development, stability, and characterization.
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for preclinical and clinical supply, ensuring scalability.
Ensure all development activities comply with cGMP guidelines and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with analytical development, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs teams.
Provide scientific and technical expertise, troubleshoot development challenges, and contribute to strategic R&D planning.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Drug development knowledge

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dynamic Lead Scientist to spearhead pharmaceutical development initiatives within their research division located in Durban . This is a critical leadership role responsible for guiding the formulation, optimization, and scale-up of novel drug candidates. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the timely progression of projects through the development pipeline, adhering to stringent quality and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate is a seasoned pharmaceutical scientist with a proven ability to lead teams, manage complex R&D projects, and contribute significantly to the company's drug development success.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage teams of scientists and technicians involved in pharmaceutical formulation and process development.
Oversee the design and execution of studies for drug product development, stability, and characterization.
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for preclinical and clinical supply, ensuring scalability.
Ensure all development activities comply with cGMP guidelines and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with analytical development, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs teams.
Provide scientific and technical expertise, troubleshoot development challenges, and contribute to strategic R&D planning.

Requirements

Master's degree or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
A minimum of 7 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and development, with a focus on drug product formulation and manufacturing.
Proven experience in leading and managing R&D teams and projects.
In-depth knowledge of drug development processes , including formulation strategies, excipient selection, and manufacturing technologies.
Familiarity with cGMP regulations and regulatory submission requirements.
Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong communication skills for effective cross-functional teamwork.

Benefits