Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical insurance

Pension plan

Professional development support

Access to formulation facilities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an innovative Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their R&D team in Sandton. This hybrid role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing novel drug delivery systems across therapeutic areas.

You will collaborate with discovery through clinical development, handle pre-formulation studies, and drive scalable manufacturing processes while applying analytical techniques and robust project management.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in designing and developing various dosage forms, including solid oral dosage forms and/or sterile injectables.
• Hands-on experience with formulation development equipment and analytical techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, XRPD, dissolution testing).
• Solid understanding of drug delivery systems and principles of pharmaceutics.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations for new chemical entities and existing drugs.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for various dosage forms, ensuring scalability and reproducibility.
• Perform stability studies and interpret data to establish shelf-life and storage conditions.
• Collaborate with analytical development, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams to support product development.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues encountered during development and scale-up.

Skills

Formulation science

Analytical techniques

Drug delivery

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

DSC

TGA

XRPD

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their Research & Development department in Sandton . This hybrid role will focus on designing, developing, and optimizing novel drug delivery systems and formulations for a range of therapeutic areas. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, from discovery through to clinical development, to ensure the successful translation of drug candidates into effective and safe pharmaceutical products. This position requires strong expertise in formulation science, hands-on laboratory skills, and the ability to manage projects effectively in a dynamic R&D environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations (e.g., oral solids, injectables, topicals) for new chemical entities and existing drugs.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for various dosage forms, ensuring scalability and reproducibility.
• Perform stability studies and interpret data to establish shelf-life and storage conditions.
• Collaborate with analytical development, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams to support product development.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues encountered during development and scale-up.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in designing and developing various dosage forms, including solid oral dosage forms and/or sterile injectables.
• Hands-on experience with formulation development equipment and analytical techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, XRPD, dissolution testing).
• Solid understanding of drug delivery systems and principles of pharmaceutics.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and communication skills for effective hybrid work.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary and potential for significant bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Pension plan and other retirement benefits.
• Support for ongoing professional development, including attendance at scientific conferences.
• A hybrid work model that allows for both focused remote work and essential on-site collaboration.
• Access to advanced formulation technologies and research facilities.