Senior Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work opportunity

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and company holidays

Professional growth and conferences

Retirement savings plan with company 2

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist for a fully remote role in South Africa. You will lead development of advanced pharmaceutical dosage forms, from tablets to injectables, ensuring stability, bioavailability, and regulatory readiness.

Ideal candidate has 6+ years in formulation development, strong analytical skills (HPLC/GC/DSC/TGA), and a proven track record in remote project management within GMP/GLP frameworks.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Experience with a variety of dosage forms (tablets, capsules, parenteral, topical).
• Strong understanding of physical pharmacy, materials science and drug delivery systems.
• Proficiency with analytical techniques for formulation characterization and stability testing.
• Experience with GMP and GLP.
• Excellent problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects remotely.
• Familiarity with ICH, FDA and EMA regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of new drug products (oral, injectables, topical).
• Design and conduct pre-formulation studies on APIs.
• Develop stable, scalable formulations meeting target product profiles.
• Perform API-excipient compatibility studies.
• Carry out in-vitro testing (dissolution, drug release, stability).
• Apply analyticalTechniques (HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA) for characterization.
• Prepare development reports and regulatory submission summaries.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (analytical, process, regulatory).
• Mentor junior scientists and guide technical teams.

Skills

Formulation development

Independent remote work

Problem solving

Regulatory awareness

Excellent communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Pharmaceutics / Pharmaceutical Sciences / Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

DSC

TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and innovative pharmaceutical company, is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist to join their dedicated Product Development team. This fully remote position allows you to leverage your expertise in developing advanced pharmaceutical dosage forms from anywhere. You will be responsible for the design, development, and optimization of stable, effective, and bioavailable formulations for various therapeutic agents. This role requires a deep understanding of pharmaceutics, material science, and relevant analytical techniques. The ideal candidate will contribute significantly to our client's product pipeline, working on projects that support the company's presence and reach, even though the role is remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of new drug products, including oral solid dosage forms, injectables, and topical preparations.
• Design and execute pre-formulation studies to characterize active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
• Develop and optimize stable and scalable formulations meeting target product profiles.
• Conduct compatibility studies between APIs and excipients.
• Perform in-vitro performance testing, including dissolution, drug release, and stability studies.
• Utilize various analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA) for formulation characterization.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and implement appropriate solutions.
• Prepare detailed development reports, technical transfer documents, and regulatory submission summaries.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including analytical development, process development, and regulatory affairs.
• Stay current with scientific literature, industry trends, and regulatory guidelines related to formulation science.
• Manage project timelines and resources effectively.
• Mentor junior scientists and provide technical guidance.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven experience with a variety of dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, parenteral, topical).
• Strong understanding of physical pharmacy principles, materials science, and drug delivery systems.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques relevant to formulation characterization and stability testing.
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a detail-oriented approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote setting.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drug product development (e.g., ICH, FDA, EMA).
• Experience with formulation scale-up and technology transfer is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of up to R .
• Fully remote work opportunity, offering unparalleled flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth and attending scientific conferences.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Performance bonuses.
• Home office stipend to ensure a productive working environment.
• Collaborative and innovative research culture.