Formulation Project Leader (m/f/d)

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:  

• Lead formulation development and manufacturing process activities for oral dosage forms across development phases, with a strong focus on designing robust, scalable formulations and processes and ensuring reliable project delivery. 

• Develop and maintain project plans that align formulation, manufacturing, and supply activities with overall program objectives and timelines. 

• Generate and integrate scientific insight into how drug substance and excipient properties, formulation design, and process parameters influence product performance, manufacturability, and consistency. 

• Apply structured, science-based approaches (e.g., quality-by-design, modelling, and digital tools) to enhance understanding, enable informed decision-making, and support consistent and efficient development practices 

• Act as a key partner within cross-functional drug product sub-teams, collaborating closely with e.g. Pharmaceutical Development, Chemistry & Analytical Development, technical operations, QA and other relevant functions to ensure aligned and efficient execution. 

• Own and contribute to high-quality technical documentation, including development reports, manufacturing instructions, and CMC documentation, and support responses to health authority questions and regulatory inspections. 

• Promote effective collaboration and knowledge sharing within and across teams, contributing to continuous improvement in development approaches, efficiency of execution, and reuse of knowledge across projects. 

What you’ll bring to the role:  

• Advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Technology, Powder Process Engineering, or a related scientific field; PhD or equivalent experience is valued. 

• Minimum 3+ years of relevant industry experience in solid formulation and/or process development, preferably within pharmaceutical development of oral dosage forms. 

• Solid understanding of formulation design, manufacturing process development, scale-up, and process transfer, with a focus on creating robust and reliable processes. 

• Experience applying structured experimental and data-driven approaches (e.g., modelling, PAT, DoE, statistical analysis, or related methodologies) to support formulation and process development. 

• Strong ability to work across functions, integrate diverse inputs, and drive scientific problem solving in a clear and pragmatic way within multidisciplinary teams. 

• Excellent communication, scientific writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex topics clearly and contribute to efficient and aligned teamwork. 

• A collaborative mindset combined with an interest in improving how work is structured and executed, including the ability to bring clarity, consistency, and efficiency to development activities. 

• Strong interpersonal skills, including coaching other and developing people 

• Preferably familiarity with CMC documentation and GxP environments, including GMP and GLP expectations, with an understanding of how to translate development work into compliant and high-quality documentation. 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.