Principal Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Health and retirement benefits

Performance-based bonuses

Career growth and leadership programs

Remote work from Rustenburg with site-

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to lead R&D for novel and generic products from Rustenburg, North West. You will design, develop and optimize dosage forms, mentor scientists, and drive projects from bench to market.

The role requires PhD and 10+ years in formulation development, with expertise in solid oral, sterile injectable, and topical systems. Remote work from Rustenburg with occasional site visits is possible.

Qualifications

• PhD in pharmaceutics or related field with strong research background.
• 10+ years hands-on formulation development in pharma.
• Experience across solid oral, sterile injectable and topical products.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and regulatory filings.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development from early-stage to commercialization.
• Design pre-formulation studies to characterize substances.
• Develop robust scalable formulations for tablets, capsules, sterile injectables, and topicals.
• Utilize granulation, coating, sterile filling, and lyophilization technologies.
• Perform comprehensive characterization and stability studies.
• Oversee scale-up and technology transfer to manufacturing.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues with scientific solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical, regulatory, and manufacturing teams.
• Mentor junior formulation scientists and foster development.
• Stay current with advances in formulation science and drug delivery.

Skills

Formulation development

Pre-formulation

Project management

Mentoring

Regulatory filings

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Chemistry

Tools

DSC

TGA

XRPD

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and forward-thinking pharmaceutical company, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to lead innovative research and development efforts from their base in Rustenburg, North West . This senior role is responsible for the design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery systems and formulations for a diverse range of therapeutic areas. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in pre-formulation, formulation development, process scale-up, and characterization of various dosage forms, including oral solids, injectables, and topical preparations. You will play a crucial role in advancing the company's product pipeline, translating scientific discoveries into commercially viable pharmaceutical products. This position offers the opportunity to mentor junior scientists, collaborate with internal and external partners, and make a significant impact on patient access to innovative medicines, all within the context of Rustenburg, North West .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of new chemical entities (NCEs) and generic products from early-stage development to commercialization.
• Design and execute pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop robust and scalable formulations using a variety of dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, sterile injectables, topical creams).
• Utilize a range of formulation technologies and manufacturing processes, including granulation, coating, sterile filling, and lyophilization.
• Perform comprehensive physical and chemical characterization of drug products and their components.
• Conduct stability studies and interpret data to determine shelf-life and storage conditions.
• Oversee and participate in process scale-up activities, ensuring successful technology transfer to manufacturing.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues, providing scientific expertise and solutions.
• Collaborate closely with analytical development, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing teams to ensure project success.
• Mentor and guide junior formulation scientists, fostering scientific and technical development.
• Stay current with advancements in pharmaceutical formulation science and drug delivery technologies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing various dosage forms, including solid oral, sterile injectable, and topical formulations.
• Strong understanding of material science, excipient functionality, and drug delivery principles.
• Proven experience with formulation equipment, process development, and scale-up.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques relevant to formulation characterization (e.g., DSC, TGA, XRPD, dissolution testing).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a systematic approach to development challenges.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of contributing to regulatory filings.
• Experience in leading and mentoring scientific teams is highly desirable.
• Must be willing to work remotely from Rustenburg, North West , with potential for occasional site visits.

Benefits

• Our client offers an attractive remuneration package, competitive salary, and performance-based bonuses.
• A comprehensive benefits package includes health and wellness programs, retirement planning, and ample paid time off.
• This role provides significant opportunities for professional growth and career advancement, including leadership development and exposure to cutting-edge research.
• The opportunity to work on innovative pharmaceutical projects and contribute to significant advancements in patient care is a core benefit.
• Employees will benefit from a collaborative research environment and the chance to influence the company's future product portfolio, operating remotely but connected to the innovative hub near Rustenburg, North West .