Senior Analytical Development Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Performance-based incentives

Professional development

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Analytical Development Scientist for its Polokwane, Limpopo facility. The role focuses on developing and validating robust analytical methods for drug substances and products, using techniques like HPLC, GC, MS, and spectroscopy. You will ensure regulatory compliance and support cross-functional teams in a hybrid work setting.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry or related field with 5+ years of pharma experience, strong technical writing, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry or related field with emphasis on analytical method development.
• Experience in development/validation of analytical methods for drug substances/products.
• Familiarity with regulatory expectations (ICH) and QbD is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and transfer analytical methods for characterization of drug substances and products.
• Apply HPLC, UPLC, GC, MS, UV-Vis, FTIR, NIR, and dissolution testing techniques.
• Investigate method issues and ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct stability studies per ICH guidelines and prepare reports.
• Collaborate with formulation, process development, and quality control teams; review validation reports.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry

Method development

Validation

Troubleshooting

Scientific writing

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Empower

ICH guidelines

QbD

Education

Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry

Tools

Empower

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and innovative pharmaceutical company, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Analytical Development Scientist to join their cutting-edge research and development facility in Polokwane, Limpopo . This role is critical in developing and validating robust analytical methods essential for characterizing drug substances and products throughout their lifecycle. You will play a key part in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of our client's pharmaceutical pipeline. This hybrid position allows for a blend of focused lab work and collaborative remote engagement, supporting a balanced and productive work environment within Polokwane, Limpopo .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and transfer analytical methods for the characterization of drug substances and drug products.
• Utilize a range of analytical techniques, including HPLC, UPLC, GC, MS, spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FTIR, NIR), and dissolution testing.
• Investigate and troubleshoot analytical method issues, ensuring the integrity of results.
• Execute stability studies according to ICH guidelines and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Perform raw material testing and finished product release testing as required.
• Write and review method validation protocols and reports, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Collaborate closely with formulation development, process development, and quality control teams.
• Stay current with scientific advancements, regulatory requirements, and new analytical technologies.
• Contribute to regulatory filings by providing necessary analytical data and documentation.
• Ensure laboratory operations adhere to cGMP, safety, and environmental regulations.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in analytical method development and validation within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Expertise in various analytical instrumentation and techniques relevant to pharmaceutical analysis.
• Strong understanding of ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements for method validation.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot analytical problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent scientific writing skills, with experience in authoring validation reports and SOPs.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross‑functional collaboration.
• Experience with Empower or similar chromatography data systems.
• Knowledge of Quality by Design (QbD) principles is a plus.

Benefits

• competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, a retirement savings plan, and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunities for professional development, attending scientific conferences, and career advancement are readily available.
• Employees also benefit from generous paid time off and access to company wellness programs.

This role in Polokwane, Limpopo , provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful pharmaceutical research and development within a supportive and innovative environment.