Senior Formulation Scientist - Pharmaceutical Development (Richards Bay)

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Hybrid role with on-site laboratory

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist to join the Product Development division in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This hybrid role focuses on developing new pharmaceutical dosage forms and optimizing existing formulations, translating concepts into market-ready products within a state-of-the-art lab.

The ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of hands-on formulation development experience, an advanced degree in pharmaceutics, expertise in solid dosage forms, and strong analytical and

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years of hands-on pharmaceutical formulation development experience.
• Expertise in solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules) and/or parenteral formulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and optimization of formulations for diverse dosage forms.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.
• Perform solubility, stability, and compatibility studies to support formulation development.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for drug products.
• Oversee pilot-scale manufacturing and technology transfer activities.
• Collaborate with analytical development, process chemistry, and manufacturing teams.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and regulatory submission documents.
• Stay updated with regulatory guidelines in formulation science.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues and provide solutions.

Skills

HPLC

Dissolution testing

Solid dosage forms

Analytical method development

Excipient functionality

Regulatory knowledge (ICH)

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Pharmaceutics/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical innovator, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Formulation Scientist to join their Product Development division in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This hybrid role is central to the development of new pharmaceutical dosage forms and the optimization of existing formulations. You will be instrumental in translating scientific concepts into tangible, market-ready products, working within a state-of-the-art laboratory environment. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in pre-formulation, formulation development, and characterization of various dosage forms (e.g., oral solids, injectables, topical). This position requires strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of pharmaceutics, and a proven ability to manage projects from concept through to scale-up. You will collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure successful product lifecycle management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of pharmaceutical formulations for diverse dosage forms.


• Conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize drug substances and excipients.


• Perform solubility, stability, and compatibility studies to support formulation development.


• Develop and validate analytical methods for the characterization of drug products.


• Oversee pilot-scale manufacturing and technology transfer activities.


• Collaborate with analytical development, process chemistry, and manufacturing teams.


• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation for regulatory submissions, and presentations.


• Stay updated with the latest scientific advancements and regulatory guidelines in formulation science.


• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues, providing effective solutions.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or a related discipline.


• A minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.


• Expertise in solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules) and/or parenteral formulations.


• Strong knowledge of excipient functionality, drug delivery systems, and manufacturing processes.


• Experience with analytical techniques such as HPLC, dissolution testing, and physical characterization methods.


• Proficiency in regulatory guidelines related to drug product development (e.g., ICH).


• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.


• Effective communication and teamwork skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Benefits

• This position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund contributions.


• As a hybrid role, it provides flexibility while ensuring essential on-site laboratory work.


• Our client is committed to employee growth and offers excellent training and development opportunities.


• You will work in a collaborative environment with access to advanced technologies.


• Join a forward-thinking company making a significant impact in the pharmaceutical industry in Richards Bay .