Senior Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical aid

Life insurance

Provident fund

Professional development opportunities

Relocation assistance may be provided

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist for a leading pharmaceutical development team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will design, develop, and optimize drug formulations across multiple dosage forms to improve delivery, stability, and efficacy.

You will lead projects from pre-formulation through scale-up, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate with analytical, process development, and manufacturing groups to meet regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline.
• 5–7 years of hands-on pharmaceutical formulation development experience.
• Experience with scale-up and regulatory documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop stable drug formulations for various routes of administration.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies on APIs and excipients.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation characterization and QC.
• Plan and execute formulation optimization, including stability testing.
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation-related issues during development and manufacturing.
• Collaborate with analytical development, process development, and manufacturing teams.
• Prepare technical reports and regulatory submission documents.
• Stay current with formulation science and regulatory guidelines.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior scientists in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

Skills

Formulation development

Scale-up

Leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field

Tools

HPLC

GC

DSC

TGA

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the pharmaceutical development sector, is looking for a talented Senior Formulation Scientist to join their innovative team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is central to the design, development, and optimization of novel drug formulations, aiming to enhance drug delivery, stability, and therapeutic efficacy. You will lead projects from early-stage development through to pre-formulation and scale-up, working with a variety of dosage forms. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, excipient selection, and analytical method development. This is a challenging and rewarding position for a scientist eager to contribute to groundbreaking pharmaceutical advancements within a vibrant coastal city like Richards Bay. Our client is dedicated to fostering a culture of scientific rigor and collaborative innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop stable, effective, and manufacturable drug formulations for various routes of administration.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for the characterization and quality control of formulations.
• Plan and execute formulation optimization studies, including stability testing under various conditions.
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation-related issues encountered during development and manufacturing.
• Collaborate closely with analytical development, process development, and manufacturing teams.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, development summaries, and regulatory submission documents.
• Stay current with advancements in formulation science, drug delivery technologies, and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior scientists in the formulation team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a strong focus on solid dosage forms, injectables, or topical formulations.
• Expertise in excipient selection, compatibility studies, and formulation characterization techniques.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA, and dissolution testing.
• Demonstrated experience in scale-up of formulations from laboratory to pilot plant scale.
• Strong understanding of drug delivery systems and advanced pharmaceutical technologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for reporting and collaboration.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment in Richards Bay.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive remuneration package, including performance bonuses and benefits such as comprehensive medical aid, life insurance, and a provident fund.
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development, including attending international conferences and workshops, are readily available.
• The work environment is dynamic, innovative, and supportive, promoting collaboration and scientific achievement.
• We offer generous paid time off and encourage a healthy work-life balance for our employees in KwaZulu-Natal.
• You will have the opportunity to work with advanced laboratory equipment and contribute to significant pharmaceutical projects.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for candidates relocating to Richards Bay.