Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybride; ZAR 900 000 - 1 300 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary package

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Résumé du poste

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to lead the design, development and scale-up of innovative drug delivery systems in Rustenburg.

You will drive pre-formulation studies, optimize manufacturing processes, and collaborate across analytical development, process chemistry and manufacturing to deliver robust, regulatory-ready products.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Expertise in pre-formulation, formulation design, process development and scale-up.
• Hands-on experience with pharmaceutical processing equipment (tablet presses, capsule fillers, sterile processing).
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for drug product development (FDA, EMA).
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong analytical thinking.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills; multidisciplinary teamwork.

Responsabilités

• Lead development of new oral solid dosage forms, sterile injectables or other advanced systems.
• Perform pre-formulation and formulation development studies.
• Design and optimize formulations and manufacturing processes for desired drug release and bioavailability.
• Conduct formulation development experiments (granulation, blending, compression, encapsulation, lyophilization).
• Scale-up from bench to pilot plant and support tech transfer to manufacturing.

Connaissances

Formulation development

Project leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Formation

Ph.D. or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Pharmaceutics / Chemical Engineering

Outils

Tablet presses

Capsule fillers

Sterile processing equipment

Analytical instrumentation

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and forward-thinking pharmaceutical company, is seeking an accomplished Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their dedicated research and development division in Rustenburg . This key position will play an instrumental role in the design, development, and optimization of innovative drug delivery systems and finished dosage forms. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, formulation development principles, and experience with various dosage forms. You will be instrumental in translating preclinical findings into robust, scalable, and manufacturable pharmaceutical products. This is a remarkable opportunity to contribute to the advancement of new therapies and to work within a stimulating scientific environment in the North West province, specifically in Rustenburg . We are looking for an individual with a passion for pharmaceutical innovation and a proven ability to lead formulation projects from conception through to successful scale-up.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development of new oral solid dosage forms, sterile injectables, or other advanced drug delivery systems. Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Design and optimize formulation compositions and manufacturing processes to achieve desired drug release profiles and bioavailability. Perform formulation development experiments using techniques such as granulation, blending, tablet compression, encapsulation, sterile filtration, and lyophilization. Characterize and test developed formulations using relevant analytical techniques (e.g., dissolution, particle size analysis, SEM, XRPD). Scale-up formulations from laboratory bench to pilot plant and support technology transfer to manufacturing. Prepare comprehensive development reports, regulatory submission documents (e.g., IND, NDA), and internal technical documentation. Collaborate closely with analytical development, process chemistry, solid-state chemistry, and manufacturing departments. Stay updated on the latest advancements in formulation science, drug delivery technologies, and regulatory guidelines. Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues encountered during development and scale-up.

Requirements

Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline. A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a strong focus on at least one major dosage form class. Demonstrated expertise in pre-formulation, formulation design, process development, and scale-up. Hands-on experience with various pharmaceutical processing equipment (e.g., tablet presses, capsule fillers, sterile processing equipment). Proficiency in characterizing drug substances and drug products using analytical instrumentation. Knowledge of regulatory requirements for drug product development (e.g., FDA, EMA). Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong analytical thinking skills. Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. Experience with sterile product development, including aseptic processing and containment strategies, is a significant advantage. Proven ability to manage projects and timelines effectively.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with performance-based bonuses.
• Employees enjoy comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as a generous retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays, is provided.
• Additional benefits include life insurance, disability coverage, and potential relocation assistance for qualified candidates moving to Rustenburg .