Senior Formulation Scientist - Pharmaceutical

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Access to modern R&D facilities

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist to join the R&D team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role features a hybrid work model with on-site lab access and emphasis on designing and optimizing drug delivery systems and dosage forms.

You will lead pre-formulation studies, develop novel and generic formulations, select excipients, and ensure cGMP compliance while collaborating with analytical, process development and regulatory teams.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Strong knowledge of drug delivery systems and excipient functionality.
• Hands-on lab experience with formulation and characterization equipment.
• Understanding of cGMP regulations and their application.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute pre-formulation studies for APIs and excipients.
• Develop novel and generic formulations for various dosage forms.
• Evaluate and select excipients to achieve product performance.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for formulations.
• Conduct stability studies and determine shelf-life and storage conditions.
• Characterize drug products using analytical techniques and collaborate with QA/Analytical teams.
• Prepare development reports, protocols and batch records.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Experimental design

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

Dissolution testing equipment

Particle size analyzer

Microscopy

Analytical instruments

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a progressive pharmaceutical company, is seeking a talented Senior Formulation Scientist to join their Research & Development team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA . This role involves a hybrid work arrangement, offering flexibility while ensuring essential on-site laboratory access. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing drug delivery systems and dosage forms for a wide range of pharmaceutical products. This includes pre-formulation studies, formulation development, excipient selection, and characterization of drug products. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Your innovative approach will be key in bringing novel and effective therapies to market. You will work collaboratively with analytical, process development, and regulatory teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute pre-formulation studies to characterize active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients.
• Develop novel and generic formulations for various dosage forms (e.g., oral solids, liquids, injectables).
• Evaluate and select appropriate excipients to achieve desired drug product performance and stability.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for pharmaceutical formulations.
• Conduct stability studies and interpret results to determine shelf-life and storage conditions.
• Characterize drug products using various analytical techniques (e.g., dissolution, particle size analysis, microscopy).
• Collaborate with analytical development teams for method development and validation.
• Prepare formulation development reports, protocols, and batch records.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with cGMP and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and trends in drug delivery and formulation science.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Strong knowledge of drug delivery systems, dosage form design, and excipient functionality.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment used in formulation and characterization.
• Understanding of cGMP regulations and their application in formulation development.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment within a hybrid setup, based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA .

Benefits

• Annual salary of R .
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Generous paid time off.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
• Hybrid work model promoting work-life integration.
• Access to modern R&D facilities.