Senior Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 950,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Health and wellness benefits

Professional growth opportunities

State-of-the-art labs access

Annual performance bonuses

Conference attendance support

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a Senior Formulation Scientist to lead innovative drug-delivery development across oral, parenteral, and topical dosage forms. You will design pre-formulation studies, optimize formulations, and ensure regulatory readiness.

The role requires a PhD/MS, at least 6 years of industry experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to mentor junior scientists within a cutting-edge facility.

Qualifications

• Ph.D./M.S. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years hands-on pharmaceutical formulation development experience.
• Proven expertise in diverse dosage forms; parenteral or modified-release preferred.
• Solid knowledge of excipients, compatibility studies, and material science.
• Experience with GMP and regulatory submissions (IND, NDA).

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of oral solids, injectables, and topicals.
• Design pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize formulations using drug delivery technologies.
• Plan stability studies per ICH guidelines for shelf-life assessment.
• Collaborate with analytical development, manufacturing, and regulatory teams.

Skills

Formulation development

Drug delivery technologies

Parenteral & modified-release

GMP/regulatory knowledge

Project management

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished pharmaceutical entity, is actively searching for a Senior Formulation Scientist to spearhead innovative drug delivery system development within their advanced research facilities in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This pivotal role demands a creative and experienced professional adept at designing, developing, and optimizing novel dosage forms for both small and large molecules. You will be at the forefront of translating scientific discoveries into viable pharmaceutical products, ensuring stability, bioavailability, and patient compliance. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of pharmaceutics, material science, and drug delivery technologies, combined with a strong record of successfully advancing formulations through various stages of development. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on patient health by contributing to the next generation of therapeutic solutions. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of innovation and scientific rigor.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of various dosage forms, including oral solids, injectables, and topical preparations.
• Design and conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Develop and optimize formulations using a range of drug delivery technologies (e.g., controlled release, nano-delivery systems).
• Plan and execute stability studies according to ICH guidelines to assess product shelf-life and degradation pathways.
• Characterize the physical and chemical properties of formulated products using techniques such as DSC, TGA, XRD, and dissolution testing.
• Prepare comprehensive formulation development reports, tech transfer documents, and relevant sections for regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate closely with analytical development, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure successful product scale-up and commercialization.
• Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.
• Troubleshoot formulation-related issues and implement effective solutions.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a positive team dynamic.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands‑on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development within the industry.
• Proven expertise in developing diverse dosage forms, with a strong preference for parenteral or modified‑release oral formulations.
• In‑depth knowledge of excipient selection, compatibility studies, and material science principles.
• Proficiency with formulation development equipment and analytical techniques for characterization.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and regulatory submission requirements (e.g., IND, NDA).
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong scientific writing and presentation skills.
• A proactive and results‑oriented approach, with excellent problem‑solving capabilities.
• Experience with solubility enhancement techniques and complex formulations is a plus.

Benefits

• A competitive remuneration package that rewards expertise and contributions.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art formulation and analytical laboratories.
• A dynamic and collaborative research environment in the scenic city of Durban.
• Annual performance bonuses.
• Support for attending key scientific conferences.
• Generous annual leave allowance.