Senior Process Development Scientist - Pharmaceutical

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Pension fund

Paid annual leave

Advanced training and development

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA, is seeking a Senior Process Development Scientist to lead optimization and scale-up of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. The role requires strong expertise in chemical engineering or organic chemistry within GMP settings, and on-site work is required to leverage lab and pilot plant resources.

You will design experiments, drive process improvements, and mentor junior scientists while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure product

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in pharmaceutical process development and scale-up.
• Strong GMP understanding and application in process development.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments to develop and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Scale up processes from lab to pilot plant and commercial scales.
• Characterize and troubleshoot process-related issues; implement effective solutions.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for monitoring process parameters and product quality.
• Conduct process hazard analyses and implement safety measures.
• Collaborate with Formulation Development, Manufacturing and Quality Assurance teams.
• Prepare technical reports, batch records and process validation documentation.

Skills

Experimental design

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Master or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

GC

Spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in pharmaceutical development, is seeking a dedicated Senior Process Development Scientist to join their state-of-the-art facility in Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA. This role is critical for optimizing and scaling up manufacturing processes for new and existing pharmaceutical products. You will leverage your scientific expertise to design, execute, and analyze experiments aimed at improving yield, purity, and efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in chemical engineering or organic chemistry, coupled with hands-on experience in process development within a GMP environment. This position requires a proactive, problem-solving mindset and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. This role is based on-site to ensure effective utilization of laboratory and pilot plant resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments to develop and optimize pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Characterize and troubleshoot process-related issues, implementing effective solutions.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for monitoring process parameters and product quality.
• Conduct process hazard analyses and implement safety measures.
• Collaborate with Formulation Development, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance teams.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, batch records, and process validation documentation.
• Stay current with new technologies and methodologies in pharmaceutical process development.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with GMP regulations and company SOPs.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development and scale-up.
• Proven experience with various pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies and unit operations.
• Strong understanding of GMP requirements and their application in process development.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques relevant to process monitoring (e.g., HPLC, GC, spectroscopy).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
• Must be willing to work full-time on-site in Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA.

Benefits

• Annual salary of R .
• Comprehensive medical aid and pension fund.
• Paid annual leave.
• Opportunities for advanced training and professional development.
• Access to advanced laboratory and pilot plant facilities.
• Dynamic and innovative work culture.