Senior Pharmaceutical Formulations Scientist

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life assurance

Retirement plan

Remote work with global teams

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for a Senior Pharmaceutical Formulations Scientist to join its fully remote R&D team. You will lead formulation development for solid dosage forms, semi-solids, and liquids, translating science into patient-ready medicines.

The role requires a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and at least 6 years of industry experience, with GMP knowledge, analytical method development, and cross-functional collaboration with regulatory and process development teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• 6+ years hands-on pharmaceutical formulation development experience.
• Experience with solid dosage form development (direct compression, wet granulation, dry granulation).
• Knowledge of GMP and regulatory guidelines for drug product development.
• Excellent scientific judgment and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of solid dosage forms, semi-solids, and liquids.
• Design and execute formulation development studies including pre-formulation, compatibility, and stability testing.
• Apply novel drug delivery technologies to improve bioavailability and patient compliance.
• Characterize API and excipient properties and their impact on formulation performance.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation analysis.
• Troubleshoot formulation issues during development and scale-up.
• Collaborate with analytical development, process development, DMPK, and regulatory teams.
• Prepare development reports and regulatory submission documents.

Skills

Formulation development

Analytical methods

Regulatory awareness

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

DSC

TGA

XRD

Particle size analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in pharmaceutical innovation, is looking for an accomplished Senior Pharmaceutical Formulations Scientist to join their fully remote Research and Development team. This role is critical in the development of novel drug delivery systems and dosage forms. You will leverage your expertise in formulation science, drug delivery technologies, and physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to design and optimize formulations for various therapeutic areas. The ideal candidate possesses a strong scientific foundation, excellent problem-solving skills, and a passion for translating scientific discoveries into patient-ready medications. This remote position offers the flexibility to work from anywhere while contributing to groundbreaking pharmaceutical advancements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of various pharmaceutical dosage forms, including solid oral dosage forms (tablets, capsules), semi-solids (creams, ointments), and liquids.
• Design and execute formulation development studies, including pre-formulation, compatibility, and stability testing.
• Investigate and apply novel drug delivery technologies to improve bioavailability, targeted delivery, and patient compliance.
• Characterize the physicochemical properties of APIs and excipients and their impact on formulation performance.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for formulation analysis.
• Troubleshoot formulation-related issues encountered during development and scale-up.
• Collaborate closely with analytical development, process development, DMPK, and regulatory affairs teams.
• Prepare comprehensive development reports, regulatory submission documents (e.g., IND, NDA sections), and scientific publications.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists within the formulation development group.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation development within the industry.
• Proven expertise in solid dosage form development, including direct compression, wet granulation, and dry granulation techniques.
• Strong understanding of drug solubility enhancement techniques, controlled release technologies, and bioavailability enhancement strategies.
• Experience with characterization techniques for APIs and drug products (e.g., DSC, TGA, XRD, particle size analysis).
• Familiarity with GMP requirements and regulatory guidelines for drug product development.
• Excellent scientific judgment, problem-solving abilities, and a creative approach to formulation challenges.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting complex technical information.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment.
• Experience with formulation of biologics or complex molecules is a plus.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, life assurance, and a generous retirement plan.
• Professional development is encouraged through training, workshops, and conference attendance.
• Our client values innovation, collaboration, and work-life balance, providing a supportive environment for career growth.
• You will have the opportunity to work on challenging projects and contribute to the development of life-changing medicines from the comfort of your home office.