Senior Formulation Scientist - Pharmaceuticals

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision benefits

Retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Formulation Scientist for our client in Durban, SA, to lead development of innovative dosage forms and optimize existing formulations. This on-site role requires hands-on lab work and cross-functional collaboration with analytical, pre-clinical, and clinical teams.

The ideal candidate has a strong pharmaceutical formulation background, 7+ years experience, and expertise in dosage form development, excipients, and analytical methods.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in developing various dosage forms and understanding drug delivery principles.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop various pharmaceutical dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables, topical formulations).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.
• Optimize formulations to enhance bioavailability, stability, and patient compliance.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterizing drug products.
• Perform stability studies according to ICH guidelines and other regulatory requirements.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including analytical instruments and formulation apparatus.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose effective solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists, process engineers, and project managers.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, protocols, and presentations.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in formulation science and drug delivery technologies.

Skills

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Scientific communication

Independent work

Education

Master's or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

Dissolution testing

DSC

TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the Pharmaceutical industry, is looking for a highly skilled Senior Formulation Scientist to join their Research and Development team in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA. This role is central to the development of innovative drug delivery systems and the optimization of existing pharmaceutical formulations. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and characterizing novel dosage forms, ensuring their safety, efficacy, and stability. This is an on‑site position that requires hands‑on laboratory work and close collaboration with analytical, pre‑clinical, and clinical development teams. The ideal candidate possesses a strong scientific background, extensive experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, and a passion for advancing drug delivery technologies. You will play a key role in bringing new and improved therapeutic products to market, contributing significantly to our client's pipeline and mission. We seek a creative and detail‑oriented scientist committed to achieving scientific excellence in the Pharmaceutical field.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop various pharmaceutical dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables, topical formulations).
• Conduct pre‑formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.
• Optimize formulations to enhance bioavailability, stability, and patient compliance.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterizing drug products.
• Perform stability studies according to ICH guidelines and other regulatory requirements.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including analytical instruments and formulation apparatus.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and propose effective solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists, process engineers, and project managers.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, protocols, and presentations.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in formulation science and drug delivery technologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands‑on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in developing various dosage forms and understanding drug delivery principles.
• Strong knowledge of excipient selection, compatibility, and function.
• Experience with analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing, DSC, TGA).
• Proficiency in Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Excellent problem‑solving, critical thinking, and scientific communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with solid dosage forms and/or sterile injectables is highly desirable.
• Resident in or willing to relocate to the Durban area.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for scientific advancement and professional development.
• Access to cutting‑edge research facilities and equipment.
• Collaborative R&D environment.
• Performance bonuses and recognition programs.
• Company-sponsored training and conference attendance.
• Contribution to developing life‑changing medicines.