Senior Formulation Scientist - Drug Product Development

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Generous leave

Professional development

Access to R&D facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist for a biopharmaceutical client in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. The role focuses on designing, developing, and characterizing complex oral dosage formulations within a hybrid work setting.

You will lead formulation development projects, perform pre-formulation studies, and collaborate with analytical, manufacturing, and regulatory teams to advance the product pipeline.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of pharmaceutical formulation development experience.
• Strong knowledge of solid dosage form development including granulation, tableting and coating.
• Experience with analytical techniques for drug product characterization (e.g., dissolution, HPLC, Karl Fischer).
• Familiarity with ICH stability guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop formulations for oral solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies and optimize excipients for release, stability and bioavailability.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for drug product characterization.
• Lead formulation projects, manage timelines and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Prepare development reports and regulatory documentation.

Skills

Formulation development

Solid dosage forms

Analytical methods

DoE (design of experiments)

Troubleshooting

Education

PhD or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

Dissolution testing

Karl Fischer moisture

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a groundbreaking biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative drug delivery systems, is seeking a talented Senior Formulation Scientist to join their Research and Development team. This role is instrumental in the development of novel drug products from concept through to clinical trial material. Situated in the beautiful academic hub of Stellenbosch, Western Cape , this position offers a hybrid work model, providing flexibility while ensuring close collaboration with laboratory and project teams. The Senior Formulation Scientist will be responsible for designing, developing, and characterizing complex pharmaceutical formulations, with a strong emphasis on oral dosage forms. You will leverage your expertise in pharmaceutical sciences to drive projects forward and contribute to the company's pipeline of advanced therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations for various dosage forms, with a primary focus on oral solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies to understand drug substance properties and their impact on formulation development.
• Select appropriate excipients and optimize formulation composition to achieve desired drug release profiles, stability, and bioavailability.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterization of drug products (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing, particle size analysis).
• Perform stability studies according to ICH guidelines and interpret the results to establish shelf-life and storage conditions.
• Lead formulation development projects, manage timelines, and coordinate activities with internal and external stakeholders.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues encountered during development.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, technical summaries, and documentation for regulatory submissions.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in pharmaceutical formulation science, drug delivery technologies, and regulatory guidelines.
• Collaborate effectively with teams in manufacturing, analytical development, and regulatory affairs in a hybrid work setting.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, preferably within a biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical company.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of solid dosage form development, including granulation, tableting, and coating.
• Experience with various analytical techniques relevant to drug product characterization (e.g., dissolution, HPLC, Karl Fischer).
• Familiarity with ICH stability guidelines and regulatory requirements for drug product development.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present scientific data clearly.
• Experience with statistical analysis and design of experiments (DoE) is advantageous.
• Comfortable working in a hybrid model, balancing laboratory work with remote documentation and project management.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Annual performance-based bonus.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Generous paid time off and holiday leave.
• Opportunities for professional development, including conference attendance and advanced training.
• Access to cutting-edge R&D facilities and equipment.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.