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Formulation Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Catalent, Inc.

Development Scientist II

Greenville, NC · On-site

Responsible for GMP compliance in formulation and process development. * Responsible for assisting with planning and operating within a budget for the pharmaceutical area. * Work directly with ...

LGM Pharma, LLC

FORMULATION SCIENTIST

Rosenberg, TX · On-site

$87K - $105K/yr

Lead formulation development, optimization, and scale-up activities for semi-solid and liquid ... Design, execute, analyze, and document formulation and process development studies using scientific ...

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How much do formulation development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for formulation development scientist in the United States is $37.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.24 and $43.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Formulation Development Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Formulation Development Scientist, you need a strong background in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or chemical engineering, often supported by an advanced degree. Expertise in analytical techniques, process development tools, and regulatory compliance systems such as GMP and ICH guidelines is crucial. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and troubleshoot complex formulation challenges. These competencies are vital for developing safe, effective, and scalable pharmaceutical products that meet industry standards.

What does a Formulation Development Scientist do?

A Formulation Development Scientist is responsible for designing and optimizing the composition of pharmaceutical products, such as tablets, capsules, creams, or injectables. They work to ensure that drugs are effective, stable, and safe for patient use by selecting appropriate ingredients and determining the best manufacturing processes. These scientists conduct experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with other departments to meet regulatory and quality standards. Their work is crucial in bringing new medications from the lab to the market.

What is the difference between Formulation Development Scientist vs Formulation Chemist?

AspectFormulation Development ScientistFormulation Chemist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical or biotech companiesResearch labs, pharmaceutical or biotech companies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in R&D departments focusing on product developmentUsed in R&D for formulation and product stability testing
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Formulation Development Scientist and a Formulation Chemist lies in their scope of work. The Scientist typically oversees the entire formulation development process, including experimental design and optimization, while the Chemist focuses more on laboratory testing and formulation adjustments. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are integral to pharmaceutical R&D teams, but the Scientist often has a broader strategic role in product development.

What are some common challenges faced by Formulation Development Scientists during the product development process?

Formulation Development Scientists often encounter challenges such as optimizing the stability and efficacy of a formulation, balancing the selection of excipients, and scaling up from lab to manufacturing while maintaining product quality. They must also navigate regulatory requirements, troubleshoot unexpected physical or chemical changes, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams like analytical, regulatory, and manufacturing. Successfully addressing these challenges requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication within multidisciplinary teams.
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Infographic showing various Formulation Development Scientist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,236 per year, or $37.6 per hour.
Associate Scientist, Formulation Development

Associate Scientist, Formulation Development

Denali Therapeutics

South San Francisco, CA

$106K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies for neurodegenerative diseases through our deep commitment to degeneration biology and principles of translational medicine. Denali is founded on the collaboration of leading scientists, industry experts, and investors who share the vision that scientific discovery energetically applied to translational medicine is the key to delivering effective therapies to patients.

We invite you to consider an opportunity with Denali to help achieve our goal of delivering meaningful therapeutics to patients.

This position will be part of a broader Analytical and Formulation team with opportunities to closely collaborate on aspects of formulation, process and analytical development across a broad range of novel large molecules targeting several neurodegenerative diseases.

Key Accountabilities/Core Job Responsibilities:

  • Support formulation and drug product development activities for one or more of Denali's large molecule biotherapeutics.
  • Execute formulation development studies to identify clinical formulations and dosage forms.
  • Perform hands-on characterization of protein therapeutics using chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and spectroscopy-based analytical methods.
  • Develop understanding of key degradation mechanisms for each therapeutic.
  • Conduct clinical in-use compatibility studies.
  • Support drug product process development activities including lyophilization.
  • Translate analytical results into robust, stable formulations ensuring product quality.
  • Author technical documents including formulation development reports and stability protocols/reports.
  • Maintain accurate and timely experiment records in electronic laboratory notebook (ELN).
  • Contribute to establishing state-of-the-art formulation capabilities.
  • Present experimental results in team meetings.

Qualifications/Skills:

  • BS or MS in Biochemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related scientific discipline with 2+ years of relevant CMC experience in biotech/pharma.
  • Experience in formulation development, compatibility, stability studies, and buffer exchange.
  • Experience with high concentration protein formulations and/or lyophilization preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, spectroscopy, or particle analysis methods.
  • Strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
  • Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent laboratory, critical thinking, scientific problem-solving, and organizational skills.
  • Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
  • Motivated, detail-oriented, naturally curious individual with a creative approach to scientific problem solving.
Salary Range: $106,000.00 to $138,000.00 .Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers

This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

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