Principal Scientist - Pharmaceutical Development

Placements24; Cape Town; Sur place; ZAR 1 500 000 - 2 300 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Performance bonus

Health insurance

Relocation assistance

Continuing education

Résumé du poste

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Principal Scientist to lead pharmaceutical development initiatives, guiding formulation, characterization and scale-up of drug candidates while ensuring GMP compliance and regulatory readiness.

You will mentor a team of formulation scientists, collaborate with discovery, clinical operations and manufacturing, and shape the company’s pipeline through strategic project leadership.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences or closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical product development with emphasis on formulation and manufacturing sciences.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (FDA/EMA) and GMP principles.

Responsabilités

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of pre-formulation and formulation development for small molecules and biologics.
• Oversee stability studies, drug product characterization, and process optimization experiments.
• Collaborate with analytical chemistry to develop and validate analytical methods for drug substance and product testing.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to a team of formulation scientists and technicians in Cape Town.
• Ensure all development activities comply with GMP and regulatory guidelines, interfacing with regulators as needed.

Connaissances

Leadership

GMP

Regulatory knowledge

Project management

Team mentoring

Formation

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Chemistry

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Principal Scientist to spearhead pharmaceutical development initiatives in Cape Town . This senior role will focus on guiding the formulation, characterization, and scale-up of new drug candidates, ensuring compliance with rigorous regulatory standards. You will play a critical role in shaping the company's pipeline, working closely with multidisciplinary teams including discovery research, clinical operations, and manufacturing. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of drug development processes and a proven track record of successfully bringing pharmaceutical products from concept to clinical trials, contributing to advancements in healthcare within the Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of pre-formulation and formulation development for novel small molecule and biologic drug candidates.
• Oversee the design and conduct of stability studies, drug product characterization, and process optimization experiments.
• Collaborate with analytical chemistry teams to develop and validate appropriate analytical methods for drug substance and drug product testing.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to a team of formulation scientists and technicians in our Cape Town facility.
• Ensure all development activities adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and relevant regulatory guidelines, interacting with regulatory bodies as needed.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in pharmaceutical product development, with a strong focus on formulation and manufacturing sciences.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA) and GMP principles.
• Proven experience managing complex projects and leading scientific teams in a pharmaceutical R&D setting.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with a strong aptitude for scientific rigor.

Benefits

• Exceptional executive-level salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including specialized care.
• Generous relocation assistance for qualified candidates moving to Cape Town .
• Support for continuing education and professional certifications.
• A culture of innovation and commitment to improving patient lives through advanced therapies.