Senior Formulation Scientist

As a Senior Formulation Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in overcoming poor aqueous solubility of novel small-molecule therapeutics – one of the most significant challenges in modern drug development. You will lead client-facing projects, designing and executing formulation strategies to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble molecules.

This role requires both deep technical expertise in physical pharmacy and the agility to manage multiple fast-paced projects.

Roles and responsibilities

• Formulation strategy: design and develop innovative solubility-enhancing formulations, based on platforms such as amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs), lipid-based delivery systems, nanocrystalline systems and complexation technologies.
• Preformulation: conduct rigorous physicochemical characterisation of active compounds, including solubility profiling, permeability profiling, chemical and physical stability assessments and solid-state characterisation (XRD, DSC, TGA, SEM).
• Process development: Develop and optimise manufacturing processes for unit operations such as spray drying and wet milling
• Project leadership: act as the primary technical point of contact for pharmaceutical clients, translating their drug delivery goals into actionable laboratory work plans.
• Mentorship: supervise and mentor junior scientists and lab technicians, ensuring high-quality data generation
• Science: stay up to date on the relevant scientific literature and disseminate scientific knowledge at the biweekly science meetings
• Technology: scout for new formulation and analytical technologies the expand the company’s service offering
• Reporting: author high-quality technical reports, presentations and standard operating procedures

Profile

• Master’s degree or PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, bioengineering, pharmaceutics or related field
• 3–5 years of industry experience
• Proven track record in developing formulations for poorly soluble small molecules.
• Hands-on experience with solubility and dissolution profiling, HPLC/UPLC and solid-state analysis tools.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and strict client deadlines.
• Knowledge of Quality by Design (QbD) principles and Design of Experiments (DoE) software like JMP or Design-Expert.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex scientific data into clear-cut information for non-technical stakeholders
• Fluency in Dutch and English is required

What we can offer as your future employer

• A varied and challenging role in an innovative start-up company with international customer portfolio
• The opportunity to work on a diverse range of molecules across various therapeutic areas
• The ability to work creatively and independently on formulations that deliver the medicines of tomorrow
• Development and further training opportunities for shaping and realising your career goals
• Employment contract of unlimited duration with a competitive salary package

About Harpago

Over 70% of small-molecule therapeutics emerging from today's drug discovery pipelines are too poorly water-soluble to enable adequate bioavailability after oral intake. This solubility problem greatly hinders the drug development process and ultimately prevents patients from accessing potentially life-saving treatments.

At Harpago, we tackle this solubility problem through rigorous formulation design and development. Based out of Ghent, Belgium, we work with emerging biopharma companies across the globe to address solubility problems in discovery, preclinical, early clinical and life-cycle management projects.