Group Leader- Chemistry

Planet Pharma; Singapore; On-site; SGD 210,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking a Group Leader, Discovery Chemistry for its Singapore site to drive advanced synthesis, purification, and platform expansion. You will lead hands-on chemistry work, mentor a high-performing team, and coordinate with biology, delivery, and preclinical groups to nominate drug candidates.

You will shape strategy for novel chemical architectures and establish scalable workflows while engaging with external CROs to accelerate pipeline progress.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Organic/Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Proven track record in a pharmaceutical/biotechnology setting focused on modern synthetic chemistry methods.
• Extensive hands-on command of solid-phase synthesis instrumentation, purification systems (e.g., automated chromatography, TFF), and analytical platforms (e.g., UPLC, LC/MS).
• Proven success in advancing complex therapeutic modalities toward candidate selection, with patents/publications/regulatory disclosures.
• Prior experience in therapeutic discovery for metabolic, cardiovascular, chronic, or sensory diseases is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Establish, optimize, and scale high-throughput synthesis workflows and expand platform capabilities into next-generation chemistries and bioconjugation strategies.
• Lead and mentor a growing team of research associates and scientists at the bench.
• Serve as the lead chemistry expert on multidisciplinary project teams with biology, delivery, and preclinical groups.
• Manage external CRO networks for routine activities while keeping core chemistry internal.
• Invent new chemical compositions, draft patent documentation, and help secure core technology assets.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Cross-functional collaboration

Drug discovery

Strategic planning

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

Solid-phase synthesis instrumentation

Automated chromatography

TFF

UPLC

LC-MS

Job description

Role: Group Leader, Discovery Chemistry (Advanced Therapeutics)

Location: Singapore, relocators welcome!

Position Type: Full-time

About the Opportunity

Are you an elite synthetic chemist looking to shape the future of next-generation medicine? A premier, well-funded national translation platform in Singapore is seeking a Group Leader, Discovery Chemistry to spearhead its advanced synthesis, purification, and platform expansion workflows.

Operating like an agile, high-growth biotech, this national initiative is building a world-class translation engine to accelerate novel therapeutic modalities from early concept to clinical readiness. In this dual-capacity role, you will act as a strategic scientific leader and a hands-on technical expert. You will manage robust solid-phase synthesis workflows, drive the development of novel chemical architectures, and mentor a high-performing team of scientists to advance therapeutic assets toward drug candidate selection.

Key Responsibilities

• Platform Operations & Expansion: Establish, optimize, and scale high-throughput synthesis workflows while expanding platform capabilities into next-generation chemistries, novel scaffolds, and bioconjugation strategies.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead by example at the bench while building, coaching, and managing a growing team of research associates and scientists.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the lead chemistry expert on multidisciplinary project teams, partnering closely with biology, delivery, and preclinical teams to assess manufacturability and drive candidate nomination.
• Strategic Partnering: Manage external CRO networks for routine activities while keeping core, high-value, and IP-generating chemistry internal.
• IP Generation: Play a critical role in expanding the organization's proprietary portfolio by inventing new chemical compositions, preparing patent documentation, and securing core technology assets.

What We Are Looking For

• Education: PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Organic/Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Industry Experience: A proven track record in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting focused on modern synthetic chemistry methods
• Technical Mastery: Extensive hands-on command of modern solid-phase synthesis instrumentation, advanced purification systems (e.g., automated chromatography, TFF), and analytical platforms (e.g., UPLC, LC/MS).
• Drug Discovery Track Record: Proven success in advancing complex, modified therapeutic modalities toward candidate selection, backed by a strong portfolio of patents, publications, or regulatory disclosures.
• Preferred Experience: Prior experience in therapeutic discovery for metabolic, cardiovascular, chronic, or sensory diseases is highly desirable.

Why Join Our Client?

This is a high-visibility opportunity to establish a legacy within a cutting-edge global biomedical hub. You will have access to premier infrastructure, significant funding, and a highly collaborative team dedicated to transforming global clinical outcomes. The position is open to local talent or global candidates willing to relocate to Singapore.