Remote Senior Formulation Scientist For Drug Delivery

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Remote work flexibility

Home office stipend

Continued professional development

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist to join a cutting‑edge team focused on innovative drug delivery systems. The role is fully remote, enabling collaboration with experts across discovery, preclinical, and manufacturing science to push formulations from concept toward clinical trials.

The candidate will design, develop, and optimize formulations, apply advanced analytical methods, and help drive projects through pre‑clinical development while ensuring GLP compliance and robust

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (Pharmaceutical sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering).
• 6+ years of pharmaceutical formulation development experience.
• Hands-on expertise with analytical and characterization techniques.
• Strong understanding of APIs and excipients properties.
• Experience writing and presenting scientific data.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop formulations for novel drug delivery systems (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes, sustained‑release).
• Conduct pre‑formulation studies–solubility, stability, compatibility of APIs/excipients.
• Optimize formulations for PK, bioavailability, and product performance.
• Characterize formulations using analytical tools and ensure product quality.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterization and QC.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to advance projects.
• Troubleshoot formulation issues and propose solutions.
• Stay updated on literature and emerging drug delivery tech.
• Prepare reports and present findings to teams; contribute to patents/regulatory filings.
• Ensure GLP and safety compliance in all activities.

Skills

Formulation development

Remote work ability

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

GC

DSC

TGA

Particle size analysis

Job description

Senior Formulation Scientist - Innovative Drug Delivery Systems (Remote)

About the Role Our client, a cutting-edge pharmaceutical research firm, is seeking a highly motivated Senior Formulation Scientist to join their pioneering team. This role is pivotal in the design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery systems, focusing on enhancing therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. Operating in a fully remote capacity, you will collaborate with leading experts in drug discovery, pre‑clinical development, and manufacturing science to bring innovative formulations from concept to clinical trials. This position requires a deep understanding of pharmaceutical formulation principles, excipient science, and advanced characterization techniques. You will be instrumental in exploring and implementing innovative technologies to solve complex formulation challenges. The ideal candidate is a creative problem‑solver with a passion for pushing the boundaries of drug delivery technology and making a significant impact on patient care through improved therapeutic solutions. This remote role offers unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking pharmaceutical research.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations for various therapeutic areas, with a focus on novel drug delivery systems (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes, sustained‑release formulations).
• Conduct pre‑formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Optimize formulations to achieve desired pharmacokinetic profiles, bioavailability, and product performance.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA, particle size analysis) to characterize formulations and evaluate product quality.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation characterization and quality control.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, and manufacturing, to advance projects from discovery through pre‑clinical development.
• Troubleshoot formulation and processing issues, proposing effective solutions.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature, industry trends, and emerging technologies in drug delivery and formulation science.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, present findings to project teams and stakeholders, and contribute to patent applications and regulatory filings.
• Ensure all laboratory activities are conducted in compliance with GLP and company safety standards.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a significant focus on novel drug delivery systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in various formulation types and drug delivery technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with relevant analytical and characterization techniques.
• Strong understanding of physicochemical properties of APIs and excipients.
• Proven ability to design and execute experiments, interpret data, and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of scientific publications or presentations.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and thrive in a remote research environment.
• Experience with small molecule and/or biologic formulations is desirable.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drug development is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and flexible remote work schedule.
• Retirement savings plan with matching contributions.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and conference attendance.
• Home office stipend and access to specialized remote collaboration tools.
• Chance to be at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation and advanced drug delivery.
• Supportive and intellectually stimulating virtual work environment.