Senior Pharmaceutical Formulations Scientist

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Formulations Scientist for our R&D facility in Pretoria, Gauteng. You will lead the design, development, and optimization of innovative drug formulations across oral, injectable, and topical dosage forms.

The role requires a Ph.D. or Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or related) and at least five years of formulation development experience, with strong knowledge of excipients, drug delivery technologies, and cGMP compliance.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in various dosage forms, including solid, liquid, and semi-solid formulations.
• Familiarity with cGMP requirements for product development and manufacturing.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative oral, injectable, and topical pharmaceutical formulations.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for the assessment of drug products.
• Oversee pilot-scale manufacturing of formulated products and conduct technology transfer activities.
• Collaborate with analytical development, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing departments.

Skills

Formulation development

Drug delivery technologies

Analytical characterization

cGMP knowledge

Team collaboration

Education

PhD or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences / related

Tools

DSC

XRD

Analytical methods instrumentation

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a highly skilled and dedicated Senior Pharmaceutical Formulations Scientist to join their state-of-the-art research and development facility in **Pretoria, Gauteng**. This role is central to the innovation pipeline, focusing on the design, development, and optimization of novel drug formulations. You will be working with a talented team of scientists and researchers to bring new therapeutic solutions to patients. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of drug delivery systems, excipient selection, and formulation characterization. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of pharmaceutical product development in **South Africa** and contribute to improving global health outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative oral, injectable, and topical pharmaceutical formulations.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including solubility, stability, and compatibility assessments.
• Select appropriate excipients and drug delivery systems to achieve desired pharmacokinetic profiles.
• Perform formulation characterization using techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and particle size analysis.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for the assessment of drug products.
• Oversee pilot-scale manufacturing of formulated products and conduct technology transfer activities.
• Troubleshoot formulation-related issues during development and manufacturing.
• Collaborate with analytical development, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing departments.
• Stay current with advancements in formulation science and drug delivery technologies.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and documentation for internal review and regulatory submissions.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.
• Proven expertise in various dosage forms, including solid, liquid, and semi-solid formulations.
• Strong knowledge of excipient functionality and compatibility.
• Experience with advanced drug delivery technologies (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes, sustained release).
• Proficiency in relevant analytical techniques for formulation characterization.
• Familiarity with cGMP requirements for product development and manufacturing.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in **Pretoria**.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. This role provides a chance to work in a dynamic R&D environment with access to cutting-edge technology. Join a leading pharmaceutical company and make a significant contribution to developing innovative medicines in **Gauteng**.