Preformulation Scientist Regional Municipality

Preformulation Scientist Summary

The Preformulation Scientist position is a key contributor to the ongoing research at SSPI.

It is expected to have 70% lab work.

• Design and develop toxicology-enabling formulations for in vivo preclinical studies (rodent and non-rodent), including solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and lipid-based formulations.
• Select formulation approaches based on API physicochemical properties, exposure targets, and route of administration.
• Design and execute excipient compatibility studies, including lipid-API interactions.
• Assess chemical and physical stability under short- and accelerated conditions appropriate for tox studies.
• Design and preform high throughput screening, solubility measurements and characterization.
• Characterize the generated samples using X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermal Gravimetry Analysis (TGA), Liquid Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS), Optical Microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Particle Size Analyzer and HPLC.
• Interpret thermal, spectroscopic, and chromatographic data to guide excipient and formulation selection.
• Integrate solid-state data (polymorphs, salts, amorphous forms) into formulation decisions.
• Record all details of experiments and analytical data.
• Write high quality weekly and final reports.
• Routinely present the project results.
• Follow safety rules and housekeeping principles to ensure all working areas are clean and safe.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

• PhD or MSc, in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in preformulation and early formulation development.
• Demonstrated experience with tox‑enabling formulations, including lipid-based systems.