Senior Formulation Scientist - Pharmaceutical Development - Remote

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Formulation Scientist for a fully remote role. You will lead formulation development from pre-formulation through to clinical trial material production, mentoring junior scientists and coordinating with global teams.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a related field, with 7+ years in pharmaceutical formulation and a proven track record in scalable processes and regulatory documentation. This remote-first role embraces flexibility and collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Excellent scientific writing and verbal communication skills.
• Proven leadership of formulation development teams in remote settings.
• Experience with multiple dosage forms including oral solids and parenteral products.
• Regulatory awareness for IND/NDA documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of small molecule and biologic candidates into various dosage forms.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies assessing solubility, stability, and excipient compatibility.
• Design experiments to optimize bioavailability, stability, and manufacturability.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulated products.
• Oversee scale-up from lab to pilot and commercial scales.
• Prepare formulation development reports and regulatory submission documents.
• Collaborate with analytical, process chemistry, manufacturing, and regulatory teams.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior scientists.
• Stay abreast of advances in formulation and drug delivery.

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutics

Tools

DSC

TGA

XRPD

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading force in pharmaceutical innovation, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Formulation Scientist to join their global Product Development team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from your home office. You will lead the formulation development of novel pharmaceutical dosage forms, from pre-formulation studies through to clinical trial material production and scale-up. This senior role demands a deep understanding of pharmaceutics, drug delivery systems, and solid-state chemistry, coupled with proven leadership in managing complex projects and mentoring junior scientists. As a remote contributor, you will collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams globally, leveraging advanced digital collaboration tools. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned formulation expert to drive the development of cutting-edge medicines and contribute significantly to patient well-being within a flexible, innovative, and remote-first environment. We value scientific rigor and creative problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of small molecule and/or biologic drug candidates into various dosage forms (e.g., oral solids, injectables).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and excipient compatibility assessments.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize formulations for desired bioavailability, stability, and manufacturability.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterizing formulated products.
• Oversee the scale-up of manufacturing processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial scales.
• Prepare comprehensive formulation development reports, protocols, and regulatory submission documents (e.g., IND, NDA sections).
• Collaborate closely with analytical development, process chemistry, manufacturing sciences, and regulatory affairs teams.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior formulation scientists.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and scientific advancements in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing challenges.

Requirements

• PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Extensive experience with various dosage forms, including oral solid dosage forms and/or parenteral drug products.
• Strong knowledge of excipient science, solid-state chemistry, and drug delivery principles.
• Proven experience in leading formulation development projects from concept to scale-up.
• Proficiency with relevant laboratory equipment and analytical techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, XRPD, dissolution testing).
• Excellent scientific writing and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor scientific teams in a remote setting.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drug product development.

Benefits

This fully remote Senior Formulation Scientist position offers a highly competitive salary, bonus opportunities, and an outstanding benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid time off. Our client fosters a culture of continuous learning and provides access to professional development resources. You will have the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects that impact global health. Embrace the flexibility and autonomy of working from home while contributing to a world-class pharmaceutical company. This role in Sandton represents a significant career opportunity for an experienced scientist.