Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist (Remote)

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Professional development budget

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist for a fully remote role in South Africa. You will design, develop, and optimize solid dosage forms and other drug delivery systems, turning APIs into stable, patient-friendly products.

You will collaborate with analytical, pre-formulation, and scale-up teams, driving formulation development from concept through clinical trials, and staying at the forefront of regulatory and manufacturing practices.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• 7+ years in pharmaceutical formulation development with solids focus.
• Proficiency with analytical techniques for formulation development (HPLC, dissolution, DSC, TGA).

Responsibilities

• Design and develop robust formulations for solid dosage forms.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies including API characterization and excipient compatibility.
• Optimize formulations for bioavailability and stability.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation characterization.
• Plan and execute formulation development experiments and stability studies.
• Scale-up laboratory formulations to pilot and production processes.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues.
• Collaborate with analytical, process, and regulatory teams.
• Maintain detailed notebooks and prepare technical reports.
• Stay updated on new technologies in pharmaceutical formulation.

Skills

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Experimental design

Communication skills

Independent work

Remote collaboration

Education

M.Sc./Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

Dissolution testing

DSC

TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished pharmaceutical company renowned for its commitment to innovation and quality, is actively seeking a highly experienced Senior Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist to join their fully remote team. This critical role will focus on the design, development, and optimization of solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules) and potentially other drug delivery systems. You will be instrumental in transforming active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) into stable, effective, and patient-friendly medicinal products. This is a remote-first opportunity, allowing you to contribute your expertise from any location within South Africa, supported by our client's robust digital infrastructure.

You will collaborate closely with analytical, pre-formulation, and scale-up teams to ensure successful product development from concept to clinical trials. Our client is dedicated to advancing patient care through superior pharmaceutical formulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop robust pharmaceutical formulations for various dosage forms, with a primary focus on solid oral dosage forms.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including API characterization, solubility assessment, and excipient compatibility testing.
• Optimize formulations to achieve desired pharmacokinetic profiles, bioavailability, and stability.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation characterization and quality control.
• Plan and execute formulation development experiments, including stability studies.
• Scale-up laboratory-developed formulations to pilot and commercial manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing-related issues.
• Collaborate effectively with analytical chemists, process engineers, and regulatory affairs specialists.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare comprehensive technical reports and regulatory documents.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry best practices in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a strong emphasis on solid oral dosage forms.
• In-depth knowledge of formulation principles, excipients, drug delivery systems, and manufacturing technologies.
• Proven experience in product development from early-stage research through to technology transfer.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques relevant to formulation development (e.g., HPLC, dissolution testing, DSC, TGA).
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex data clearly.
• Ability to work independently and lead projects effectively in a remote, collaborative setting.
• Experience with generic drug development is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Generous paid time off and professional development budget.
• Access to advanced digital tools and resources for remote work.
• Opportunity to significantly impact drug product development and patient outcomes.
• Fully remote work flexibility.