Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Klerksdorp; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive medical coverage

Support for professional development

State-of-the-art labs

Job summary

Placements24 in Klerksdorp seeks a Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join its R&D team. The role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing novel drug formulations and delivery systems, from early development through clinical stages.

You will execute experiments, analyze results, and contribute to product pipelines with strong lab skills and scientific rigor. Ideal candidates hold a Master’s or Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. required in a relevant field.
• Hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development (min 3 years).
• Strong knowledge of drug delivery systems, excipient functionality and formulation principles.
• Experience with analytical techniques for pharmaceutical characterization and quality control.
• Proficiency in experimental design, data analysis and scientific reporting.
• Familiarity with FDA/EMA guidelines related to drug product development.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop dosage forms (tablets, capsules, injectables, topical) for new drug candidates.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, API and excipient characterization.
• Perform stability studies and analyze formulation performance for shelf-life.
• Optimize formulations to improve bioavailability, patient outcomes, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment used in formulation development.
• Document procedures, results and conclusions in notebooks and reports.

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline

Job description

About the Role

Our client seeks a highly skilled Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their innovative Research and Development department in Klerksdorp. This role is central to the design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery systems and pharmaceutical formulations. You will conduct experiments, analyze results, and contribute to the advancement of product pipelines from early-stage development through to clinical trials. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, excellent laboratory skills, and a passion for developing effective and safe medicinal products.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop various pharmaceutical dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables, topical formulations) for new drug candidates.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Perform stability studies and analyze formulation performance under various conditions to ensure product efficacy and shelf-life.
• Optimize existing formulations to improve bioavailability, patient compliance, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment used in formulation development and characterization (e.g., particle size analyzers, dissolution testers).
• Document experimental procedures, results, and conclusions accurately in laboratory notebooks and technical reports.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Strong knowledge of drug delivery systems, excipient functionality, and formulation principles.
• Experience with analytical techniques relevant to pharmaceutical characterization and quality control.
• Proficiency in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific report writing.
• Familiarity with regulatory guidelines (e.g., FDA, EMA) related to drug product development.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for bonuses based on project milestones.
• Comprehensive medical and wellness programs.
• Support for professional development and attendance at scientific conferences.
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Collaborative research environment focused on scientific innovation.