Principal Formulation Chemist
Principal Formulation Chemists lead the design and development of pharmaceutical formulations that optimize the delivery, stability, and bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). They oversee pre-formulation studies, develop new drug delivery systems, and guide products through scale-up and tech transfer.
Key responsibilities:
Designing dosage forms – Including tablets, capsules, suspensions, injectables, or inhalables tailored to the physicochemical properties of the API.
Conducting compatibility and stability studies – Using analytical methods like HPLC, DSC, and particle sizing to evaluate formulation performance over time.
Guiding scale-up and GMP manufacturing – Working with process engineers and quality teams to ensure reproducibility and regulatory readiness.
Leading formulation strategy – Including QbD approaches, DoE experimental planning, and documentation for regulatory submissions (e.g. IND, NDA, MA).
Mentoring formulation scientists – Providing scientific and strategic leadership to support R&D milestones and client projects.
This role typically requires experience with excipients, granulation, lyophilization, and other pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques, along with strong knowledge of ICH, FDA, and EMA expectations.
North West England
North West England is one of nine official regions of England. It consists of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. Major towns and cities in the North West include Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton, Carlisle, Macclesfield, Knutsford, Blackpool and Warrington.
Cumbria in the north of the region is largely rural whereas the south of the region is much more densely populated. The North West is known as the “Northern Powerhouse” thanks to its strong history in manufacturing. In days gone by the region was particularly famous for its textile industry, but the manufacturing today is based more on food and drink, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and transport. Digital technology, including games and software development, is also a major sector in the region, particularly in Liverpool and Manchester which have both seen huge growth in tech start-ups.
Famous people born in the North West: Wayne Rooney, footballer and Paul McCartney, musician.
North West England is a great place to further your career in life sciences. If you are a looking for pharmaceutical jobs in North West England, scientific careers in North West England or want to discuss cell therapy, gene therapy, ATMP, medical device, technology, biotech or pharmaceutical job opportunities in North West England, give our Next Phase team a call. The North West area is continuing to expand as a centre for jobs in science, process development, technology, software development, project management, informatics, quality, reg affairs and supply chain.
At Next Phase we help people find new jobs in life sciences across the UK, Europe and USA. This page lists some of the job opportunities in the North West, and if you give us a call we can also talk to you about other scientific jobs, pharmaceutical career opportunities and the latest updates in cell and gene therapy and ATMP development in the given area.
