Pharmaceutical Research Scientist - Formulation Development

Placements24; Randfontein; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative R&D environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Rustenburg seeks an innovative Pharmaceutical Research Scientist specializing in Formulation Development to join its leading R&D team. The role focuses on designing and optimizing drug delivery formulations to enhance efficacy, safety, and patient compliance.

You will conduct pre-formulation studies, stability testing, and PK/PD considerations, collaborating with scientists to prepare regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in dosage form design including solid dosage forms, parenteral products, or topical formulations.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize pharmaceutical formulations (e.g., oral solids, injectables, topicals) for new and existing drug candidates.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including physicochemical characterization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Perform stability studies and dissolution testing to evaluate formulation performance and shelf-life.
• Utilize advanced techniques and technologies for drug delivery system development.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose innovative solutions to optimize product performance.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research summaries, and contribute to regulatory submission documents.

Skills

Formulation development

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics

Analytical/problem solving

Project management

Education

PhD or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmaceutics/Chemistry

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative Pharmaceutical Research Scientist specializing in Formulation Development to join their leading R&D team in Rustenburg . This role is central to the design and development of novel drug delivery systems and the optimization of existing formulations to enhance efficacy, safety, and patient compliance. You will be working in a state-of-the-art laboratory, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and researchers dedicated to bringing life-changing therapies to market. This position represents an excellent opportunity for a scientifically driven individual to make a substantial contribution to pharmaceutical innovation within a highly respected organization committed to advancing medical treatments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize pharmaceutical formulations (e.g., oral solids, injectables, topicals) for new and existing drug candidates.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including physicochemical characterization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Perform stability studies and dissolution testing to evaluate formulation performance and shelf-life.
• Utilize advanced techniques and technologies for drug delivery system development.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose innovative solutions to optimize product performance.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research summaries, and contribute to regulatory submission documents.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in various dosage form design, including solid dosage forms, parenteral products, or topical formulations.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment for formulation development, characterization, and stability testing.
• Strong understanding of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics , and drug delivery principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Benefits

• A competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional development, attending conferences, and publishing research.
• A stimulating and collaborative research environment focused on cutting-edge pharmaceutical science.