Senior Scientist, Early Pharmaceutics

Evotec

Verona, Italy

We are seeking an experienced Senior Scientist – Formulation & Physical Characterisation to deliver high-quality formulation development activities supporting early-stage drug development programmes.

This role requires scientific expertise, problem-solving ability, and the confidence to execute, and interpret complex experimental programmes. The successful candidate will provide contribute to formulation strategy, and support cross-functional project delivery within a collaborative R&D environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop formulation and physical characterization activities with minimum support from Research Expert for assigned projects, delivering results to agreed quality, safety, and timeline expectations.
• Design, execute, analyse, and interpret complex experimental programmes to support development objectives.
• Apply advanced scientific knowledge and judgement to solve challenging formulation problems with minimal supervision.
• Develop and adapt experimental strategies based on project needs, emerging data, and technical risk assessment.
• Provide senior scientific input into project decisions and formulation strategy development.
• Critically review experimental data, technical reports, and laboratory documentation to ensure scientific robustness and data integrity.
• Communicate findings effectively through reports, presentations, and project discussions.
• Support project planning through timeline estimation, resource planning, and risk identification.
• Collaborate with research experts, scientists, and cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing to junior scientists.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards, procedures, and good documentation practices.
• Take ownership of laboratory responsibilities, equipment oversight, and continuous improvement activities.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical formulation science and physical characterisation techniques.
• Experience in early-stage drug development environments will be good.
• Proven ability to independently plan, execute, and interpret complex scientific experiments.
• Expertise in formulation development, optimisation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong analytical thinking and scientific judgement in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Ability to translate experimental data into clear technical recommendations.
• Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, and timelines effectively.
• Strong understanding of data integrity, laboratory documentation, and quality standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence technical discussions.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Core Competencies

• Scientific and sound technical judgement.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Ability to build effective multidisciplinary collaborations across Discovery and Pharmaceutical Development.
• Mentoring junior scientists.
• Innovative mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, customer-driven environment.

Qualifications

• PhD (preferred), MSc or equivalent in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacy, Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• 4-5 years of relevant industrial experience in pharmaceutical development.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary pharmaceutical development projects within a customer-focused environment.

Languages

• Excellent written and spoken English is essential.
• Additional languages (Italian, German or French) are considered an advantage.