Senior Research Scientist - Pharmaceutical Development

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Paarl, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Research Scientist to lead drug product development and stability studies in a cutting-edge pharmaceutical lab. You will design studies, optimize processes for clinical and commercial materials, and guide analytical characterization using HPLC, dissolution, and particle size analysis.

The role requires a Ph.D. or Master's in pharmaceutical sciences or related field with 5+ years of drug product development experience, GMP knowledge, and strong

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical drug product development.
• Proven expertise in formulation strategies for oral, injectable, or topical delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of small molecule and biologic drug candidates with various delivery systems.
• Design and conduct stability studies to assess shelf-life and degradation pathways.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for clinical and commercial materials.
• Characterize drug substances and products using analytical techniques (HPLC, dissolution, particle size).
• Collaborate with internal teams (DMPK, CMC, regulatory) and external partners.
• Troubleshoot formulation/process issues during development and scale-up.

Skills

Formulation development

Analytical methods

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Master's in Chemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

Dissolution testing

Particle size analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Research Scientist to join their pharmaceutical development team in Paarl . This role is critical in advancing the formulation and delivery of new drug candidates. You will be responsible for designing and executing studies related to drug product development, stability testing, and manufacturing process optimization. This position offers a superb opportunity to contribute to the creation of life-changing medicines within a well-equipped laboratory setting in the picturesque Western Cape , working within a highly skilled and collaborative scientific team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of small molecule and biologic drug candidates using various delivery systems.
• Design and conduct stability studies to assess drug product shelf-life and degradation pathways.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for clinical trial materials and commercial production.
• Perform characterization of drug substances and drug products using analytical techniques such as HPLC, dissolution testing, and particle size analysis.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams (e.g., DMPK, CMC, regulatory affairs) and external partners.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues encountered during development and scale-up.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical drug product development .
• Proven expertise in formulation strategies for oral, injectable, or topical drug delivery.
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques essential for characterizing pharmaceutical formulations.
• Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Support for professional development, including training and conference attendance.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment focused on innovation and scientific excellence in Paarl .