Senior Formulation Scientist - Drug Development

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

State-of-the-art labs

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Formulation Scientist for a Polokwane facility to drive innovation in drug development. You will design, develop and optimize novel formulations to enhance bioavailability, stability, and patient compliance, leading projects and collaborating with analytical and process development teams.

The role requires a strong background in pharmaceutical formulation science, a PhD/ MSc, and a track record in delivering regulatory-compliant products.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• At least 6 years' experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Expertise in multiple dosage forms (solid, parenteral, controlled release).
• Strong knowledge of drug delivery principles, material science and characterization.
• Experience with regulatory requirements (FDA/EMA).

Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative drug formulations for various dosage forms.
• Optimize existing formulations for stability, efficacy, and manufacturability.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies on APIs and excipients.
• Oversee stability studies per ICH guidelines.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop validated methods.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior scientists in Polokwane.

Skills

Formulation development

Leadership

Regulatory awareness

Problem solving

Education

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Formulation Scientist to drive innovation in drug development at their facility in Polokwane . This key role involves designing, developing, and optimizing novel drug formulations to enhance bioavailability, stability, and patient compliance. You will lead formulation projects, collaborate closely with analytical and process development teams, and ensure that formulations meet regulatory requirements and product specifications. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in pharmaceutical formulation science and a passion for bringing new medicines to patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative drug formulations for various dosage forms (e.g., oral, injectable, topical).
• Optimize existing formulations to improve stability, efficacy, and manufacturability.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Oversee and execute stability studies according to ICH guidelines.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods for formulated products.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior scientists within the formulation team in Polokwane .

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Expertise in various dosage forms and delivery systems (e.g., solid dosage, parenteral, controlled release).
• Strong understanding of drug delivery principles , material science, and physicochemical characterization.
• Experience with regulatory requirements for drug product development (e.g., FDA, EMA).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on challenging and innovative drug development projects.
• Access to state-of-the-art formulation development labs and equipment.
• Support for professional development, including conferences and training.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment in Polokwane focused on bringing life-changing medicines to market.