Senior Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement fund

Performance-based bonuses

Professional training

Conference attendance

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist for a cutting-edge pharmaceutical R&D role near Mossel Bay, Western Cape. The position combines on-site laboratory work with data analysis and report writing in a hybrid model.

You will lead development of oral solids, injectables, and topical dosage forms, design studies, optimize processes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate pre-clinical findings into scalable formulations.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive pharmaceutical formulation development experience.
• Hands-on with dosage forms and analytical equipment (HPLC, dissolution testers).

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development for oral solids, injectables, and topicals.
• Design and run pre-formulation, stability, and dissolution studies.
• Characterize drug substances and excipients affecting performance.
• Develop pilot- and commercial-scale manufacturing processes.
• Conduct dissolution studies and bioequivalence assessments.
• Use analytical techniques for formulation characterization and QC.
• Prepare development reports and regulatory documents.
• Collaborate with analytical, manufacturing, regulatory, and PM teams.
• Stay current with literature and new drug-delivery technologies.

Skills

Formulation development

Data analysis

Analytical thinking

Technical report writing

Hybrid work adaptability

Project management

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences/ Pharmaceutics or related field

Tools

HPLC

Dissolution testing

Particle sizers

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge pharmaceutical research and development company, is looking for a highly skilled Senior Formulation Scientist to join their innovative team based near Mossel Bay, Western Cape . This role involves the design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery systems and dosage forms. The position operates under a hybrid model, blending focused remote work for data analysis and report writing with essential on-site laboratory work and team collaboration. You will be instrumental in translating pre-clinical findings into stable, effective, and scalable pharmaceutical formulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding combined with hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, possess excellent problem-solving skills, and be passionate about advancing therapeutic solutions. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation medicines in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of new pharmaceutical products, including oral solid dosage forms, injectables, and topical preparations.
• Design and execute formulation studies, including pre-formulation, compatibility, stability, and dissolution testing.
• Characterize drug substances and excipients to understand their impact on formulation performance.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for pilot-scale and commercial production.
• Conduct comparative dissolution studies and bioequivalence assessments.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques for formulation characterization and quality control.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues, providing timely and effective solutions.
• Prepare comprehensive formulation development reports, technical summaries, and regulatory submission documents.
• Collaborate effectively with analytical development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and project management teams.
• Stay current with scientific literature, industry trends, and new technologies in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Demonstrated expertise in various dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, parenteral products, semi-solids).
• Hands-on experience with formulation equipment and analytical instrumentation (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testers, particle sizers).
• Strong understanding of physical chemistry, materials science, and biopharmaceutics.
• Proven ability to design and interpret complex experiments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of technical report writing.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid setting, near Mossel Bay .
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory requirements is essential.
• Project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits program. This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a robust retirement fund, and performance-based bonuses. We are committed to fostering professional growth through continuous learning, training programs, and opportunities to attend scientific conferences. The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility. Employees work in a modern, well-equipped facility and are part of a dedicated and innovative team. Join us in shaping the future of pharmaceutical formulation development in the beautiful Western Cape region.