Chemical Process Development Scientist

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Collaborative R&D environment

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington is seeking a meticulous Chemical Process Development Scientist to join the R&D team. The role focuses on laboratory-scale development and optimization of new chemical processes, exploring novel reaction pathways and purification techniques.

You will design and execute experiments, analyze results, and scale promising processes to pilot stages. Responsibilities include conducting synthesis route development, characterizing products with GC-MS/HPLC/NMR, and collaborating

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years in chemical process development, R&D, or organic synthesis.
• Strong lab skills with standard synthesis equipment.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques for characterization and monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct and analyze lab experiments to develop synthesis routes.
• Investigate novel reaction conditions and purification methods.
• Characterize products and intermediates using GC-MS, HPLC, NMR.
• Perform scale‑up studies from bench to pilot scales.
• Document procedures, results and conclusions in notebooks and reports.
• Collaborate with process engineers for tech transfer to pilot/manufacturing.

Skills

Lab techniques

Analytical thinking

Experimental design

Data interpretation

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemistry

Tools

GC-MS

HPLC

NMR

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a meticulous and innovative Chemical Process Development Scientist to join their research and development team in Upington . This role focuses on the laboratory-scale development and optimization of new chemical processes, exploring novel reaction pathways and purification techniques. You will be responsible for designing and executing experiments, analyzing results, and scaling up promising processes to pilot stages. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the discovery and implementation of cutting‑edge chemical technologies within a dynamic R&D environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and analyze laboratory experiments to develop and optimize chemical synthesis routes.
• Investigate and implement novel reaction conditions, catalysts, and purification methods.
• Utilize analytical techniques (e.g., GC-MS, HPLC, NMR) to characterize products and reaction intermediates.
• Perform initial scale-up studies from bench‑top to small pilot plant volumes.
• Document experimental procedures, results, and conclusions comprehensively in laboratory notebooks and reports.
• Collaborate with process engineers to ensure seamless technology transfer to pilot and manufacturing scales.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemistry , Chemical Engineering , or a related scientific discipline.
• 3-5 years of experience in chemical process development, R&D, or organic synthesis.
• Strong practical laboratory skills and experience with standard chemical synthesis equipment.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques for characterization and process monitoring.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Good understanding of chemical reaction kinetics and thermodynamics.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for scientific growth and professional development.
• A collaborative R&D environment fostering innovation.
• Exposure to diverse chemical development projects in the Upington region.
• Support for attending scientific conferences and continuing education.