Pharmaceutical Research Scientist (Formulation Development)

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Research bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Cutting-edge facilities

Publication opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a skilled Pharmaceutical Research Scientist to join its Mossel Bay R&D team. The role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing novel drug delivery formulations to improve bioavailability, stability and patient compliance.

You will contribute to bringing discoveries to viable products in a forward-thinking company. The ideal candidate combines a PhD/Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences with hands-on formulation experience and strong problem-solving, documentation, and

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Hands-on experience with dosage forms and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques for formulation development and characterization.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct formulation studies for tablets, capsules, injectables, and topical dosage forms.
• Develop and optimize formulations using various excipients and delivery technologies.
• Characterize pre-formulation properties and perform drug-excipient compatibility studies.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose viable solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical, process development and manufacturing teams for scale-up and tech transfer.
• Stay current with literature, patents, and trends in pharmaceutical formulation.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Formulation development

Dose form design

Problem-solving

Documentation & communication

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a creative and skilled Pharmaceutical Research Scientist specializing in Formulation Development to join their innovative R&D team in Mossel Bay . This role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing novel drug delivery systems and formulations for both new chemical entities and existing molecules. You will be integral in transforming scientific discoveries into viable pharmaceutical products, ensuring optimal bioavailability, stability, and patient compliance. This is an exceptional opportunity for a dedicated scientist to make a significant impact on patient health by contributing to the development pipeline of a forward-thinking pharmaceutical company that values scientific excellence and breakthrough innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct formulation studies for various dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables, topical).
• Develop and optimize formulations using a range of excipients and drug delivery technologies.
• Perform characterization of pre-formulation properties, drug-excipient compatibility studies, and finished product testing.
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation challenges, identifying root causes and proposing viable solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical development, process development, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless scale-up and technology transfer.
• Stay current with scientific literature, patent landscape, and emerging trends in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development , with a strong understanding of pre-formulation and dosage form design.
• Hands-on experience with various pharmaceutical dosage forms and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques for formulation development and characterization.
• Strong scientific curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to innovation.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for research-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement savings plans.
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities and equipment
• Opportunities for scientific publication and presentation at industry conferences.
• A stimulating and collaborative research environment dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical science.