Principal Scientist - Analytical Development

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Comprehensive health insurance

Professional development opportunities

State-of-the-art facilities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a seasoned Principal Scientist to lead Analytical Development at our Rustenburg R&D hub. You will spearhead method development, validation and transfer for small molecules and biologics, ensuring product quality across development stages.

You will mentor a team of analytical scientists, collaborate with formulation, process development and QC, and stay aligned with regulatory expectations throughout development lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences required.
• 10+ years of progressive analytical method development and validation experience in pharma/biotech.
• Expertise across HPLC/UPLC, GC-MS/LC-MS, FTIR and UV-Vis with regulatory awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, validation and transfer of analytical methods for small molecules and biologics.
• Oversee characterization of drug substances and products for quality attributes.
• Provide mentorship to analytical scientists and chemists.
• Troubleshoot complex analyses and develop innovative solutions.
• Collaborate with formulation, process development and QC to align activities with regs.

Skills

Analytical method development

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Mass spectrometry

HPLC/UPLC

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

GC-MS

LC-MS

FTIR

ICP-MS

UV-Vis

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Principal Scientist to lead their Analytical Development efforts within their research and development center in Rustenburg . This senior position will be responsible for developing, validating, and implementing cutting-edge analytical methods for novel therapeutic candidates and drug products. You will play a crucial role in defining the analytical strategy, guiding method development teams, and ensuring the quality and characterization of products throughout the development lifecycle. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned analytical chemist to drive impactful scientific work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, validation, and transfer of analytical methods (e.g., HPLC, GC, MS, spectroscopy) for small molecules and biologics.
• Oversee the characterization of drug substances and drug products, ensuring comprehensive understanding of product quality attributes.
• Provide expert scientific guidance and mentorship to a team of analytical scientists and chemists.
• Troubleshoot complex analytical issues and develop innovative solutions to overcome analytical challenges.
• Collaborate closely with formulation, process development, and quality control departments to ensure seamless integration of analytical activities.
• Stay abreast of regulatory guidelines and industry best practices in analytical method development and validation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in analytical method development and validation within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Expertise in a wide range of analytical techniques, including HPLC , UPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA) for analytical validation and stability studies.
• Demonstrated experience in leading scientific projects and mentoring junior scientists.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• A leading salary commensurate with experience and a generous bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Significant investment in professional development, including advanced training and conference participation.
• State-of-the-art analytical instrumentation and laboratory facilities in Rustenburg .
• A dynamic and collaborative research environment focused on scientific excellence and innovation.