Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus plan

Health insurance

Pension plan

Learning opportunities

Access to labs

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join its R&D team and lead the development of novel drug delivery systems.

The role demands deep expertise in formulation science, leadership, and hands-on experience with analytical techniques. You will drive projects from concept through to manufacturing of clinical material, collaborate across regulatory, analytical, and process development teams, and contribute to IP portfolios.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, or related field.
• At least 8 years' progressive experience in formulation development.
• Deep knowledge of drug delivery technologies and formulation principles.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize pharmaceutical formulations for various dosage forms.
• Lead formulation development projects from discovery through to clinical trial material manufacturing.
• Collaborate with analytical, process development, and regulatory teams.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies and characterize drug substances and excipients.

Skills

Leadership

Formulation Dev

Analytical Techniques

Communication

Education

PhD or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

DSC

TGA

Dissolution

Particle Size

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their dedicated R&D team in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch . This role is crucial for the development of novel drug delivery systems and advanced pharmaceutical formulations. You will lead projects, conduct complex experiments, and contribute to the intellectual property portfolio of the company. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in formulation science and a passion for bringing life‑changing medicines from concept to reality within the innovative landscape of the Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize pharmaceutical formulations for various dosage forms (e.g., oral, injectable, topical).
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of drug substances and excipients.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques to evaluate formulation performance, stability, and drug release profiles.
• Lead formulation development projects from discovery through to clinical trial material manufacturing.
• Collaborate with analytical, process development, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure successful product development.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Extensive knowledge of drug delivery technologies and formulation principles.
• Hands‑on experience with various analytical techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, dissolution testing, particle size analysis).
• Strong leadership, problem‑solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Attractive annual salary complemented by a generous bonus plan.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement fund with employer contribution.
• Support for continuous learning, including conferences and further education.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art formulation development laboratories in Stellenbosch .