Senior Formulation Scientist - Drug Product Development

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Competitive salary with performance‑dr

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development funding

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist for a globally recognized pharmaceutical R&D company in Durban. You will design, develop, and optimize dosage forms, lead pre-formulation studies, and drive scale-up and technology transfer to manufacturing, ensuring robust product performance.

We value deep knowledge of formulation principles, excipient selection, and analytical characterization, with GMP and regulatory awareness.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or related field.
• Hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development (>=6 years).
• Experience with multiple dosage forms (tablets, capsules, injectables, topical).
• Strong understanding of physical chemistry, polymers, and materials in drug delivery.
• GMP experience and regulatory familiarity for drug product development.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize oral solid dosage forms, sterile injectables, or other drug delivery systems.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Investigate and select excipients to achieve performance, stability, and manufacturability.
• Develop analytical methods for drug product characterization and QC.
• Oversee formulation development activities including experimentation and data interpretation.
• Lead scale-up and technology transfer to manufacturing with process validation.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues with scientific solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical development, process engineering, and regulatory teams.
• Prepare technical reports and development summaries for regulatory submissions.
• Stay updated on regulatory trends in drug formulation.

Skills

Formulation development

Oral solid dosage forms

Sterile services

Analytical methods

GMP compliance

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

Education

PhD or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

Statistical analysis tools

Formulation modeling software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized pharmaceutical research and development company, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Formulation Scientist to contribute to their innovative drug product development efforts in **Durban**. This role is central to transforming novel drug candidates into safe, effective, and stable pharmaceutical products. The Senior Formulation Scientist will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing drug formulations, leading pre-formulation studies, and ensuring successful scale-up and technology transfer. This is a fantastic opportunity for a scientist passionate about drug delivery and product innovation to work in a state-of-the-art facility with a collaborative and forward-thinking team. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of formulation principles, excipient selection, and drug product characterization techniques. We foster a culture of scientific excellence and provide ample opportunities for professional growth in **Durban**, aiming to advance therapeutic solutions. The vibrant city of **Durban** offers a unique coastal lifestyle and a growing hub for scientific innovation, making it an ideal location for this exciting career opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize oral solid dosage forms, sterile injectables, or other drug delivery systems.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients, including solubility, stability, and compatibility.
• Investigate and select appropriate excipients to achieve desired drug product performance, stability, and manufacturability.
• Develop robust analytical methods for drug product characterization and quality control.
• Oversee formulation development activities, including experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Lead scale-up activities and technology transfer to manufacturing sites, ensuring successful process validation.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues, providing scientific expertise and solutions.
• Collaborate closely with analytical development, process engineering, and regulatory affairs teams.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, development summaries, and documentation for regulatory submissions.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements, technologies, and regulatory trends in drug formulation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands‑on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in designing and developing various dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables, topical).
• Strong understanding of physical chemistry, polymer science, and material science as applied to drug delivery.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques for formulation development, characterization, and stability testing.
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory requirements for drug product development.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and a scientific, data‑driven approach to formulation challenges.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information clearly.
• Proficiency in relevant software, including statistical analysis tools and formulation modeling software.
• Ability to work independently and lead projects within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, including performance bonuses and equity options, along with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• We provide a generous retirement savings plan, ample paid time off, and paid holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth are abundant, with funding for conferences, workshops, and advanced training.
• Employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art research facilities in **Durban**, a supportive and collaborative work environment, and clear pathways for career advancement.
• Additionally, we offer wellness programs, employee assistance services, and a commitment to fostering work-life balance.
• This role in **Durban** presents a unique chance to be at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation and contribute to improving global health outcomes.