Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement contributions

Leave allowances

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is sourcing a Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist for a pioneering pharmaceutical company in Polokwane, Limpopo. The role focuses on developing robust dosage forms for novel and existing substances, balancing lab work with data analysis and project management.

You will lead formulation development projects from early research through scale-up, coordinate with manufacturing, analytical, and regulatory teams, and stay ahead of drug-delivery technologies in a hybrid working

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry or related field.
• Minimum 6 years hands-on experience in formulation development.
• Expertise in dosage form technologies and processes.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize tablets, capsules, injectables, and topicals.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies on solubility and stability.
• Characterize materials and finished products using analytical methods.
• Develop and validate pilot and commercial-scale manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues promptly.
• Prepare reports and documentation for regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with analytical teams to set specs and tests.

Skills

Formulation development

Analytical method development

Regulatory understanding

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D./Master's in Pharmaceutics or related field

Tools

HPLC

Dissolution testing

DSC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical company, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to contribute to their innovative drug development efforts in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA . This hybrid role requires expertise in developing robust and stable pharmaceutical dosage forms for both novel and existing drug substances. You will be instrumental in designing formulation strategies, optimizing processes, and leading formulation development projects from early-stage research through to scale-up. The role involves hands-on laboratory work and collaboration with analytical, manufacturing, and regulatory teams. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of drug delivery and make a significant impact on patient outcomes. The hybrid nature of the role balances essential laboratory time with remote data analysis and project management.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize various dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, injectables, topicals).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.
• Characterize raw materials and finished products using appropriate analytical techniques.
• Develop and validate manufacturing processes for pilot and commercial scale production.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues.
• Prepare comprehensive formulation development reports and documentation for regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with analytical development teams to establish product specifications and test methods.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and trends in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in various dosage form technologies and their manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of physical chemistry, materials science, and drug delivery principles.
• Experience with analytical techniques used for characterization and quality control (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing, DSC).
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drug product development.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing lab work with remote responsibilities.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, retirement contributions, and generous leave allowances.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and career advancement are provided.
• The hybrid work model offers flexibility, allowing for a productive work-life balance.
• Employees have access to well-equipped laboratories and a collaborative research environment.