Senior Formulation Scientist - Innovative Drug Delivery Systems (Remote)

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Home office stipend

Remote work flexibility

Professional development & conference

PTO & flexible schedule

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist for a fully remote role in South Africa. The candidate will lead design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery formulations, collaborate across discovery to pre-clinical teams, and ensure GLP-compliant laboratory practices.

The ideal candidate has a PhD and at least six years in formulation development, with hands-on experience in HPLC, DSC, TGA, and particle size analysis.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 6 years in pharmaceutical formulation development with focus on novel delivery systems.
• Experience with formulation types and drug delivery technologies; strong data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations for drug delivery systems.
• Perform pre-formulation studies including solubility and stability assessments.
• Optimize formulations for PK, bioavailability and product performance.
• Use HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA and particle size analysis to characterize formulations.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation characterization and QC.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams from discovery to pre-clinical development.
• Troubleshoot formulation and processing issues and propose解决able solutions.
• Stay current with literature and emerging technologies in drug delivery.

Skills

Analytical techniques

Formulation development

Remote work capability

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field

Tools

HPLC

GC

DSC

TGA

Particle size analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge pharmaceutical research firm, is seeking a highly motivated Senior Formulation Scientist to join their pioneering team. This role is pivotal in the design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery systems, focusing on enhancing therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. Operating in a fully remote capacity, you will collaborate with leading experts in drug discovery, pre‑clinical development, and manufacturing science to bring innovative formulations from concept to clinical trials. This position requires a deep understanding of pharmaceutical formulation principles, excipient science, and advanced characterization techniques. You will be instrumental in exploring and implementing innovative technologies to solve complex formulation challenges. The ideal candidate is a creative problem‑solver with a passion for pushing the boundaries of drug delivery technology and making a significant impact on patient care through improved therapeutic solutions. This remote role offers unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking pharmaceutical research.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations for various therapeutic areas, with a focus on novel drug delivery systems (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes, sustained‑release formulations).
• Conduct pre‑formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Optimize formulations to achieve desired pharmacokinetic profiles, bioavailability, and product performance.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA, particle size analysis) to characterize formulations and evaluate product quality.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation characterization and quality control.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, and manufacturing, to advance projects from discovery through pre‑clinical development.
• Troubleshoot formulation and processing issues, proposing effective solutions.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature, industry trends, and emerging technologies in drug delivery and formulation science.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, present findings to project teams and stakeholders, and contribute to patent applications and regulatory filings.
• Ensure all laboratory activities are conducted in compliance with GLP and company safety standards.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a significant focus on novel drug delivery systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in various formulation types and drug delivery technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with relevant analytical and characterization techniques.
• Strong understanding of physicochemical properties of APIs and excipients.
• Proven ability to design and execute experiments, interpret data, and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of scientific publications or presentations.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and thrive in a remote research environment.
• Experience with small molecule and/or biologic formulations is desirable.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drug development is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and flexible remote work schedule.
• Retirement savings plan with matching contributions.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and conference attendance.
• Home office stipend and access to specialized remote collaboration tools.
• Chance to be at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation and advanced drug delivery.
• Supportive and intellectually stimulating virtual work environment.