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Formulation Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Formulation Specialist REPORTING TO: Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist, Product Development LOCATION: Center for Biomedical Research (CBR), New York, NY JOBS SUPERVISED: N/A ASSIGNMENT LENGTH:

Formulation Specialist REPORTING TO: Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist, Product Development LOCATION: Center for Biomedical Research (CBR), New York, NY JOBS SUPERVISED: N/A ASSIGNMENT LENGTH:

A culture that respects work-life balance Stain Formulation Specialist - Position Overview: Wilsonart, Charleston, has an immediate opening for a Stain Formulation Specialist. The specialist will ...

Manufacturing Specialist - Formulation Summary INCOG BioPharma is seeking a highly motivated individual with subject matter expert (SME) capabilities in the formulation of sterile drug products. The ...

The Experienced Food Scientist, Formulation Specialist Technologist, Food Chemists or Food Development Scientists will be immediately working on developing new formulations and brands to compliment ...

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Formulation Specialist information

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How much do formulation specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for formulation specialist in the United States is $22.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do Pfizer formulation scientists make?

Pfizer formulation scientists typically earn an average salary ranging from $80,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. They often work in laboratory or manufacturing settings, utilizing skills in pharmaceutical formulation and quality control.

What are some common challenges faced by Formulation Specialists when developing new products, and how are these typically addressed?

Formulation Specialists often encounter challenges such as ingredient incompatibility, stability issues, and meeting regulatory requirements when developing new products. Overcoming these hurdles usually involves rigorous testing, collaboration with analytical and regulatory teams, and iterative reformulation. Close communication with production and quality assurance teams is also essential to ensure the formulation can be effectively scaled up and manufactured. Staying organized and adaptable is key, as priorities may shift based on testing outcomes or customer feedback.

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

To thrive as a Formulation Specialist, you typically need a strong background in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, formulation software, and knowledge of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards or regulatory certifications are crucial. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork help you excel in developing and optimizing product formulations. These skills ensure the creation of safe, effective, and high-quality products that meet regulatory and industry standards.

What is the difference between Formulation Specialist vs Chemist?

AspectFormulation SpecialistChemist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related field; experience in formulation developmentBachelor's or higher degree in Chemistry or related field; laboratory experience
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D departments, pharmaceutical or cosmetic companiesLaboratories, research institutions, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsagePrimarily in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries for developing product formulations

Formulation Specialists focus on developing and optimizing product formulations, often working closely with R&D teams to create new products. Chemists have a broader role in analyzing substances, conducting experiments, and understanding chemical properties. While both roles require chemistry knowledge and lab work, Formulation Specialists specifically tailor formulations for commercial products, making their roles more application-oriented.

What does a formulation specialist do?

A formulation specialist develops and tests product formulations, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or chemicals, ensuring they meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards. They use scientific knowledge, laboratory skills, and tools like chromatography and spectroscopy to optimize product stability, efficacy, and manufacturability.

How much do formulators make?

Formulation specialists typically earn a median annual salary between $60,000 and $80,000, depending on experience, education, and industry. Entry-level roles may start lower, while experienced formulators with advanced skills or certifications can earn over $100,000 annually.

What is the highest paid chemist job?

The highest paid chemist roles are often in pharmaceutical research, chemical engineering, or executive positions such as Chief Scientific Officer, with salaries exceeding $150,000 annually. Senior-level roles requiring advanced degrees, specialized skills, and leadership responsibilities tend to offer the highest compensation in the chemistry field.

What are Formulation Specialists?

Formulation Specialists are professionals who develop, test, and optimize mixtures of chemicals or compounds to create products with desired properties and performance. They work in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and beverage, and chemicals, ensuring that products are stable, safe, and effective. Their responsibilities often include selecting raw materials, conducting lab experiments, analyzing results, and collaborating with other scientists or engineers. Formulation Specialists play a key role in product development and quality assurance.
More about Formulation Specialist jobs
What cities are hiring for Formulation Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Formulation Specialist job openings:
What states have the most Formulation Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Formulation Specialist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Formulation Specialist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,488 per year, or $22.8 per hour.

Formulation Specialist

Population Council

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$200K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Description:

TITLE: Formulation Specialist

REPORTING TO: Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist, Product Development

LOCATION: Center for Biomedical Research (CBR), New York, NY

JOBS SUPERVISED: N/A

ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Indefinite


POSITION SUMMARY: The Formulation Specialist will assist the Formulation Scientist with hands-on formulation development and implementation of the GMP manufacturing process. They will also provide technical and scientific expertise in developing the formulation of those products which includes formulation strategies, various formulation prototypes, analytical method development and data analysis.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Hands-on development of various formulations such as injectables, gels, vaginal inserts and vaginal ring for sexual and reproductive health, including contraception alone and for Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) to simultaneously prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

2. Perform physico-chemical characterizations and pre-formulation work

3. Establish the scale-up of the manufacturing process from prototype to lab scale

4. Hands-on technical manufacturing and GMP manufacturing of drug products in a clean room facility

5. Assist in the drafting and reviewing of the technical batch and GMP manufacturing batch records including certificate of analysis

6. Establish bioburden or sterilization process, packaging and integrity testing of the packaged drug products

7. Coordinate and monitor outside vendors for testing services

8. Perform in-house testing which includes in vitro release rate testing, assay, and degradation of the active pharmaceutical ingredients

9. Perform in-house stability studies on both technical and GMP drug products

10. Assist in drafting & reviewing new analytical methods, manufacturing records, and data generated by the lab

11. Understand and follow GMP SOPs and maintain GMP compliance

12. Provide guidance, feedback and assistance to the lab staff with existing projects in the lab


QUALIFICATIONS:

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas.


1. Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, chemistry and related discipline with a focus on bench work and instrumentation

2. Minimum 2-3 years of post-doctorate experience. Exceptional candidates with less experience will also be considered.

3. Hands-on experience in carrying out experiments and data analysis

4. Knowledge of how to perform design of experiments

5. Computer skills with utilization of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) required.

6. Problem solving skills required, preferred experience with laboratory investigations

7. Must be able to work autonomously and collaborate with the lab staff

8. Highly self-motivated


SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary range between $85,000-$95,000 annually, depending on knowledge, skills and experience. Excellent benefits package includes:

  • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance available immediately upon hire;
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution equal to 12% of annual salary (up to a maximum salary of $200,000) after one year of employment;
  • 24 annual and 12 sick days per year (accrued semi-monthly) *
  • Approximately 10 paid holidays;
  • 13 weeks of paid parental leave;
  • Educational assistance*
  • College tuition support for dependents**


We strive to provide an environment of professional growth and development.


*Pro-rated for part-time staff who work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

**Employees must work full-time to be eligible for this benefit


Application Deadline: August 13, 2026

When applying through the web portal please attach your CV and Cover Letter in Word or PDF format.


The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please apply at: http://www.popcouncil.org/employment/index.asp.


The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.

Requirements: