Senior Formulation Scientist - Pharmaceutical

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Annual performance bonuses

Health, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Formulation Scientist to join a pharmaceutical R&D team in Stellenbosch. You will design and optimize dosage forms, conduct pre-formulation studies, and collaborate across analytical, process development, and manufacturing teams to enable scalable drug products.

The role emphasizes drug delivery knowledge, GMP familiarity, and strong problem-solving within a laboratory-focused environment driving patient health impacts.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• In-depth knowledge of drug delivery systems, excipient science, and dosage form design.
• Experience with analytical techniques for characterization of drug products (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing).
• Familiarity with GMP and regulatory guidelines.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and meticulous approach to scientific research.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop pharmaceutical dosage forms (tablets, capsules, injectables, topicals) for small and large molecules.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies (solubility, stability, compatibility).
• Optimize formulations for release, bioavailability, and stability.
• Prepare development protocols and regulatory submission reports.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical, process development, and manufacturing teams for technology transfer.

Skills

Formulation development

Drug delivery systems

Analytical techniques

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmaceutics/Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Senior Formulation Scientist to join their innovative Pharmaceutical research and development team in Stellenbosch . This role is central to the design, development, and optimization of novel drug delivery systems and dosage forms. You will leverage your expertise in pharmaceutical sciences to translate preclinical findings into stable, effective, and manufacturable drug products. This position offers a stimulating environment for a scientist passionate about drug development, with the opportunity to make a significant impact on patient health and contribute to a pipeline of life-changing medicines within a laboratory-focused role.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop various pharmaceutical dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables, topicals) for small and large molecules.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.
• Optimize formulations to achieve desired drug release profiles, bioavailability, and stability.
• Prepare and execute development protocols and reports for regulatory submissions.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and identify solutions to ensure successful product development.
• Collaborate closely with analytical, process development, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless technology transfer.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• In-depth knowledge of drug delivery systems , excipient science, and dosage form design.
• Experience with various analytical techniques for characterization of drug products (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing).
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory guidelines.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a meticulous approach to scientific research.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Annual performance bonuses and potential for career advancement.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Support for continuing education and professional development.
• Access to state-of-the-art formulation and analytical equipment.