Senior Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Modern lab facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Competitive salary

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist in Benoni, Gauteng to lead development and optimisation of novel drug formulations for oral solids and parenteral products. You will drive pre-formulation studies, scale-up processes, and analytical method development.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in pharmaceutical formulation development, hands-on experience with HPLC and analytical techniques, and a strong grasp of cGMP and regulatory guidelines.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven experience with a variety of dosage forms, including oral solids (tablets, capsules) and parenteral products.
• Hands-on experience with formulation development equipment and analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing, particle size analysis).
• Strong understanding of drug delivery principles, pharmacokinetics, and biopharmaceutics.
• Knowledge of cGMP requirements and regulatory guidelines (e.g., FDA, EMA) related to formulation development.
• Excellent problem-solving, organisational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced R&D setting.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimise pharmaceutical formulations for small molecules and biologics, including oral solid dosage forms, parenteral solutions, and suspensions.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies to characterise drug substances and excipients.
• Perform stability testing on formulations and analyse results to determine shelf-life and storage conditions.
• Scale-up laboratory formulations to pilot and manufacturing scales, ensuring process robustness and reproducibility.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for the characterisation of formulated products.
• Collaborate with regulatory affairs, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines.
• Prepare technical reports, protocols, and contribute to regulatory submission documents.
• Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

Dissolution testing

Particle size analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent pharmaceutical company specializing in innovative drug delivery systems, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Formulation Scientist. This integral role is based in Benoni, Gauteng, and will be responsible for the development and optimisation of novel drug formulations for various therapeutic areas. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in pre-formulation studies, formulation development, and scale-up of oral and injectable dosage forms. This position offers a stimulating opportunity to contribute to the advancement of pharmaceutical technology, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and work within a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to improving patient outcomes. We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist eager to apply their expertise in a challenging and rewarding environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimise pharmaceutical formulations for small molecules and biologics, including oral solid dosage forms, parenteral solutions, and suspensions.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies to characterise drug substances and excipients.
• Perform stability testing on formulations and analyse results to determine shelf-life and storage conditions.
• Scale-up laboratory formulations to pilot and manufacturing scales, ensuring process robustness and reproducibility.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for the characterisation of formulated products.
• Collaborate with regulatory affairs, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines.
• Prepare technical reports, protocols, and contribute to regulatory submission documents.
• Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven experience with a variety of dosage forms, including oral solids (tablets, capsules) and parenteral products.
• Hands-on experience with formulation development equipment and analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing, particle size analysis).
• Strong understanding of drug delivery principles, pharmacokinetics, and biopharmaceutics.
• Knowledge of cGMP requirements and regulatory guidelines (e.g., FDA, EMA) related to formulation development.
• Excellent problem-solving, organisational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced R&D setting.
• Experience with sterile product formulation is a strong asset.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development and attending scientific conferences.
• Access to modern formulation and analytical equipment.
• A supportive and innovative work culture in Benoni, Gauteng.
• Potential for flexible working arrangements.