Pharmaceutical Formulation Chemist

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Professional development

Paid leave

Lab facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is looking for a Pharmaceutical Formulation Chemist to join the Richards Bay research team. You will drive the full formulation development lifecycle from pre-formulation to scale-up and tech transfer in a modern laboratory setting.

The role requires a PhD or MSc in pharmaceutical sciences with at least five years of hands-on formulation experience, plus strong API/excipients knowledge and regulatory awareness. Competitive benefits and career growth offered.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in pharmaceutical sciences or related field.
• Minimum 5 years hands-on formulation development experience.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for pharma product development.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to solve complex formulation challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop novel dosage forms (oral solid, liquid, semi-solid).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies and characterize APIs and excipients.
• Perform stability studies to assess shelf-life and degradation pathways.
• Support technology transfer and scale-up to manufacturing sites.

Skills

Analytical skills

Formulation science

Problem solving

Education

PhD or MSc

Tools

Mixers

Granulators

Tablet presses

Dissolution testers

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and skilled Pharmaceutical Formulation Chemist to join their dedicated research team in Richards Bay . This role is central to the development of new pharmaceutical dosage forms, focusing on creating stable, effective, and patient-friendly formulations. You will be responsible for the entire formulation development lifecycle, from pre-formulation studies to scale-up and technology transfer. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to work in a technologically advanced laboratory environment and contribute significantly to the company's pipeline of innovative medicines in the scenic coastal city of Richards Bay .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop novel oral solid, liquid, and semi-solid dosage forms for various therapeutic areas.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Perform stability studies to assess formulation shelf-life and identify degradation pathways.
• Optimize formulations for manufacturability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods for formulated products.
• Support technology transfer activities to manufacturing sites and troubleshoot formulation-related issues during scale-up.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Strong understanding of physicochemical properties of APIs and excipients, and their impact on formulation performance.
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment used in formulation development (e.g., mixers, granulators, tablet presses, dissolution apparatus).
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical product development.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to solve complex formulation challenges.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and potential for annual bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund contributions.
• Generous provision for professional development and further education.
• Paid leave days and company-specific holidays.
• State-of-the-art formulation laboratory facilities in Richards Bay .