Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid annual leave

Training and development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join a leading R&D division in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing innovative drug delivery systems and finished products.

You will lead formulation programs, execute stability studies, validate analytical methods, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to move candidates from development toward commercialization.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in pharmaceutical sciences or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on formulation development experience.
• Experience with multiple dosage forms and scale-up is essential.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory GMP and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of oral solids, injectables, and topical products.
• Design studies to optimize stability, bioavailability, and manufacturability.
• Develop analytical methods for characterizing formulations and APIs.
• Scale-up from lab to pilot and commercial manufacturing.
• Prepare regulatory documentation and development reports.

Skills

Formulation development

Drug delivery

Analytical techniques

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences

PhD in Pharmaceutics or related

Tools

DSC

TGA

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prominent player in the global pharmaceutical landscape, is actively seeking a highly skilled Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their esteemed research and development division in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is crucial for the design, development, and optimization of innovative drug delivery systems and finished pharmaceutical products. You will leverage your deep understanding of formulation science, drug stability, and manufacturing processes to bring new therapies to patients. The successful candidate will be a key contributor to our client's R&D pipeline, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to advance drug candidates from early development through to commercialization. We are looking for a proactive scientist with a passion for innovation and a commitment to scientific rigor in the development of safe and effective medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of various dosage forms, including oral solids, injectables, and topical preparations.
• Design and execute experimental studies to optimize formulations for stability, bioavailability, and manufacturability.
• Characterize excipients and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) relevant to formulation development.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterizing formulated products.
• Scale-up laboratory formulations to pilot and commercial manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing challenges, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Conduct stability studies according to ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare comprehensive formulation development reports and documentation for regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with external partners and vendors as needed.
• Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in pharmaceutical formulation.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in developing a wide range of dosage forms.
• Strong knowledge of drug delivery technologies, excipient science, and biopharmaceutics.
• Experience with formulation scale-up and technology transfer.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques used for formulation characterization (e.g., DSC, TGA, dissolution testing).
• Excellent understanding of regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA, SAHPRA) and GMP.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented research environment in Durban.

Benefits

• An excellent annual salary package of ZAR.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Significant paid annual leave.
• Opportunities for continuous professional growth and training.
• Access to advanced formulation development laboratories.
• A dynamic and innovative work culture.