Lead Analytical Chemist - Pharmaceutical Development

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional growth opportunities

Access to advanced instrumentation

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Analytical Chemist to oversee pharmaceutical development activities in Nelspruit. You will lead a team of chemists, develop and validate analytical methods, and ensure GMP compliance in a hybrid research environment.

Requirements include an MSc or PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related field with 6+ years in pharma, plus hands-on instrument expertise (HPLC, GC, MS, NMR, UV-Vis) and regulatory knowledge to guide the team.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in analytical chemistry within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven expertise in method development and validation for various drug substances and products.
• Hands-on experience with a wide range of modern analytical instrumentation.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory guidelines (ICH, FDA, EMA) relevant to pharmaceutical analysis.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to manage a team effectively in a hybrid setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, validation, and implementation of analytical methods for raw materials, intermediates, and finished pharmaceutical products.
• Oversee and conduct stability studies according to ICH guidelines to determine product shelf-life.
• Utilize advanced analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC, MS, NMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
• Troubleshoot analytical challenges and optimize methods for improved accuracy, sensitivity, and efficiency.
• Ensure strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Mentor and train junior analytical chemists, fostering a high-performance team culture.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical chemistry expertise

Team mentoring

Education

MSc or PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related field

Tools

HPLC

GC

MS

NMR

UV-Vis spectroscopy

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Lead Analytical Chemist to oversee their pharmaceutical development activities in Nelspruit . This leadership role is critical for ensuring the quality, purity, and stability of new drug formulations. You will lead a team of chemists, develop and validate analytical methods, and ensure compliance with stringent regulatory standards. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in analytical chemistry techniques, a strong understanding of pharmaceutical development, and exceptional leadership skills to guide the analytical team in a dynamic, hybrid research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, validation, and implementation of analytical methods for raw materials, intermediates, and finished pharmaceutical products.
• Oversee and conduct stability studies according to ICH guidelines to determine product shelf-life.
• Utilize advanced analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC, MS, NMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
• Troubleshoot analytical challenges and optimize methods for improved accuracy, sensitivity, and efficiency.
• Ensure strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Mentor and train junior analytical chemists, fostering a high-performance team culture.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in analytical chemistry within the pharmaceutical industry, with increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated expertise in method development and validation for various drug substances and products.
• Extensive hands-on experience with a wide range of modern analytical instrumentation.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory guidelines (e.g., ICH, FDA, EMA) relevant to pharmaceutical analysis.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to manage a team effectively in a hybrid setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and leadership skills.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Opportunities for professional growth, including advanced training and conference participation.
• Access to cutting-edge analytical instrumentation and development facilities in Nelspruit.
• A collaborative and results-oriented work environment focused on pharmaceutical innovation.