Process Development Scientist

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Health benefits

Career development

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Process Development Scientist to join our client’s R&D team in Klerksdorp. You will optimize pharmaceutical manufacturing, transfer processes from lab to scale, and ensure robust, cost-effective production methods.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences, with 3–5 years in process development, scale-up, and GMP familiarity. You will work across teams to ensure reproducible processes and ongoing innovation.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• 3–5 years of pharmaceutical process development and scale-up experience.
• Hands-on with unit operations and manufacturing technologies; GMP knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and document experiments to optimize pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Conduct CPP studies and assess impact on product quality.
• Develop strategies for scale-up from lab to pilot and commercial scales.
• Collaborate with formulation, analytical, and manufacturing teams for transfer and validation.
• Troubleshoot process-related issues during development and manufacturing.
• Stay updated on new technologies and methodologies in process development.

Skills

Process optimization

Scale-up

GMP knowledge

Statistical analysis

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

Statistical software

Process modeling software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled and innovative Process Development Scientist to join their R&D team in Klerksdorp . This role is central to optimizing and scaling up manufacturing processes for new and existing pharmaceutical products. You will focus on developing robust, efficient, and cost-effective production methods, ensuring seamless transfer from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial scale. The ideal candidate has a strong background in chemical engineering or pharmaceutical sciences, with practical experience in process optimization, scale-up, and validation. You will contribute to bringing vital medications to market faster by ensuring manufacturing processes are sound and reproducible.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and document experiments to optimize pharmaceutical manufacturing processes (e.g., synthesis, formulation, purification).
• Conduct process characterization studies to understand critical process parameters (CPPs) and their impact on product quality.
• Develop and implement strategies for process scale-up from laboratory to pilot and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists, analytical chemists, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful process transfer and validation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process-related issues encountered during development and manufacturing.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and methodologies in pharmaceutical process development.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development and scale-up.
• Hands-on experience with various pharmaceutical unit operations and manufacturing technologies.
• Strong understanding of process validation principles and regulatory requirements (e.g., GMP).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a systematic approach to experimentation.
• Proficiency in using statistical software for data analysis and process modeling.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus potential.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering a balance of in-office and remote flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional training in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Access to modern laboratory facilities and cutting-edge process technologies.
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.