Lead Analytical Chemist – Pharma Method Development

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary package

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off

Professional development and training

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, seeks a highly experienced Principal Analytical Chemist to lead analytical development for drug candidates and products. The role emphasizes method development, validation, and regulatory readiness, with mentorship of chemists and strategic direction for analytical sciences.

You will oversee transfer of methods, troubleshoot complex analyses, and ensure compliance with cGMP and ICH guidelines while driving adoption of advanced instrumentation and technologies.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive pharmaceutical analytical chemistry experience, with substantial method development/validation.
• Extensive hands-on experience with HPLC/UPLC and LC-MS.
• Deep knowledge of cGMP and ICH guidelines in analytical method development/validation.
• Proven troubleshooting skills for analytical methods/instrumentation.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to mentor scientific staff.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills.
• Experience with OOS/OOT investigations and CAPA implementation.
• Familiarity with QbD principles is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, validation, and transfer of analytical methods for APIs and products.
• Provide scientific leadership to a team of analytical chemists.
• Troubleshoot complex analytical challenges and ensure timely resolutions.
• Interpret data, write comprehensive reports, and contribute to regulatory submissions.
• Ensure all activities comply with cGMP, ICH, and other regulations.
• Evaluate and implement new analytical technologies and instrumentation.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, QA, and regulatory affairs.
• Contribute to risk assessments and impurity profiling.
• Stay updated on trends in pharmaceutical analytical chemistry.

Skills

HPLC/UPLC

LC-MS

cGMP

ICH guidelines

Leadership

Report writing

Method development

CAPA

OOS/OOT investigations

QbD

Education

Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

UPLC

LC-MS

GC

KF

Dissolution

Spectroscopy

Job description

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, seeks a highly experienced Principal Analytical Chemist to lead analytical development for drug candidates and products. The role emphasizes method development, validation, and regulatory readiness, with mentorship of chemists and strategic direction for analytical sciences.

You will oversee transfer of methods, troubleshoot complex analyses, and ensure compliance with cGMP and ICH guidelines while driving adoption of advanced instrumentation and technologies.