Senior Formulation Scientist (Remote)

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Competitive salary and bonus

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan contribution

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Formulation Scientist for a fully remote role with a leading biopharmaceutical company. You will lead formulation development for small molecules, biologics, and other modalities, focusing on delivery, stability, and efficacy.

The position requires a PhD or Master’s in pharmaceutical sciences and at least 6 years of formulation development experience with strong analytical skills and remote collaboration capabilities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Expertise in various dosage forms (oral solids, injectables, topicals).
• Proficiency in analytical techniques relevant to formulation science.
• Strong understanding of physicochemical properties of drug substances and excipients.
• Independent design and execution of complex experimental plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to work remotely within a collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of small molecules, biologics, or other therapeutic modalities.
• Design and execute experiments to develop stable, effective, and scalable drug delivery systems.
• Characterize drug products using analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, DSC, TGA, XRD).
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation challenges, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, documentation for regulatory submissions, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with chemists, biologists, process engineers, and analytical scientists to advance projects from early development through to clinical trials.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in formulation science, drug delivery technologies, and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of formulation development activities.

Skills

Remote collaboration

Scientific communication

Formulation science

Analytical techniques

Team collaboration

Education

PhD

Masters in Pharma

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing therapeutic solutions, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Formulation Scientist to join their innovative research and development division. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from your preferred location while collaborating with a world-class team. You will be instrumental in the design, development, and optimization of novel drug formulations, focusing on enhancing drug delivery, stability, and efficacy. This role demands a profound understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, extensive hands‑on laboratory experience, and a passion for scientific discovery. As a remote‑first organization, we provide the tools, technology, and support necessary for you to excel in your role, fostering a productive and engaging work environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of drug development. The Richards Bay area serves as a crucial point of contact for administrative purposes within our client's South African operations, though your work will be conducted remotely.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of small molecules, biologics, or other therapeutic modalities.
• Design and execute experiments to develop stable, effective, and scalable drug delivery systems.
• Characterize drug products using a range of analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, DSC, TGA, XRD).
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation challenges, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Conduct pre‑formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, documentation for regulatory submissions, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with chemists, biologists, process engineers, and analytical scientists to advance projects from early development through to clinical trials.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in formulation science, drug delivery technologies, and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of formulation development activities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a strong track record of successfully bringing products from concept to clinical stages.
• Expertise in various dosage forms (e.g., oral solids, injectables, topicals).
• Proficiency in a wide array of analytical and characterization techniques relevant to formulation science.
• Strong understanding of physicochemical properties of drug substances and excipients.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute complex experimental plans independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate scientific findings clearly.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative team environment.
• Experience with regulatory requirements for drug product development is highly desirable.
• Access to a suitable home office environment with high‑speed internet connectivity.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, reflecting the seniority of this role.
• Employees receive comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, a generous retirement plan contribution, and a significant allotment of paid time off.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, including attendance at scientific conferences and specialized training, are provided.
• This is a fully remote role offering exceptional flexibility and work‑life balance.