Senior Formulation Scientist - Solid Dosage Forms

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Profit sharing

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual leave

Professional development

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Formulation Scientist in Durban to lead the design, development and optimization of oral solid dosage formulations from early development to commercialization.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field with 7+ years in solid dosage formulation development, including scale-up and tech transfer. Strong problem-solving and communication skills are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• Ph.D./Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• 7+ years in pharmaceutical formulation development focused on solid dosage forms.
• Experience with formulation design, process development, and scale-up for tablets/capsules.
• Knowledge of excipients, their functionality and impact on drug product performance.
• Hands-on experience with processing equipment: tablet presses, capsule fillers, granulators, coaters.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (ICH, FDA, EMA).
• Strong communication and organizational skills; ability to lead teams.
• Relocation to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, SA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of novel and generic oral solid dosage formulations (tablets, capsules).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies on solubility, stability, compatibility.
• Design experiments, optimize formulations, investigate drug-excipient interactions.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for solid dosage forms (granulation, blending, compression, coating).
• Scale-up from bench to pilot plant; support tech transfer to manufacturing sites.
• Characterize powder and product properties using appropriate techniques.
• Prepare development reports, CMC documentation, technical justifications.
• Collaborate with analytical, regulatory, and manufacturing teams; mentor junior scientists.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

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

Tools

Tablet presses

Capsule fillers

Granulators

Coaters

DSC/analytical instruments

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and growing Pharmaceutical company, is seeking an experienced Senior Formulation Scientist specializing in solid dosage forms. This role is based at our client's state-of-the-art facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA . The Senior Formulation Scientist will be responsible for the design, development, and optimization of oral solid dosage formulations, from early-stage development through to commercialization. This position requires a deep understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, including pre-formulation, formulation development, process development, and scale-up. The ideal candidate will possess strong practical skills in handling various excipients, understanding drug-excipient interactions, and utilizing relevant formulation and manufacturing technologies. We are looking for a results-oriented individual with excellent problem-solving capabilities and a commitment to producing high-quality pharmaceutical products. This is an excellent opportunity to lead formulation development projects and contribute significantly to the company's product pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of novel and generic oral solid dosage formulations (e.g., tablets, capsules).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including drug solubility, stability, and compatibility studies.
• Design and execute formulation development experiments, optimize formulations, and investigate drug-excipient interactions.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for solid dosage forms, including granulation, blending, compression, and coating.
• Perform scale-up activities from laboratory bench to pilot plant and support technology transfer to manufacturing sites.
• Characterize the physical properties of powders and formulated products, utilizing techniques like particle size analysis, rheology, and DSC.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, CMC documentation, and technical justifications.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including analytical, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the scientific advancement of the formulation development group.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a strong focus on solid dosage forms.
• Proven expertise in formulation design, process development, and scale-up of tablets and capsules.
• In-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical excipients, their functionality, and impact on drug product performance.
• Hands-on experience with pharmaceutical processing equipment (e.g., tablet presses, capsule fillers, granulators, coaters).
• Understanding of regulatory requirements (e.g., ICH, FDA, EMA) related to drug product development.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA area.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, including annual bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities. Comprehensive medical aid, a generous retirement fund, and ample annual leave are provided. Employees benefit from extensive professional development programs, including specialized training and opportunities to attend international conferences. Our client fosters a collaborative and innovative work environment in Durban , where scientific expertise in formulation is highly valued. This role offers a significant opportunity for career growth within the dynamic Pharmaceutical industry, contributing to the creation of essential medicines.