Lead Chemist - Pharmaceutical Development

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Bonus incentives

Annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a dynamic Lead Chemist to spearhead pharmaceutical development at our Tembisa facility. The role oversees synthesis, characterization, and formulation of drug candidates, driving discovery with high standards of quality and innovation.

The candidate will lead a chemist team, apply advanced analytical techniques, and collaborate with regulatory and QC departments to ensure compliance and successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• PhD in organic/medicinal chemistry required.
• 7+ years in pharmaceutical R&D focusing on synthesis.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of synthetic routes for novel compounds.
• Oversee purification, structural elucidation, and characterization using NMR, MS, HPLC.
• Develop and optimize formulation strategies for drug candidates.
• Manage a team of chemists and technicians with guidance and mentorship.
• Collaborate with regulatory affairs and quality control to ensure compliance.
• Maintain notebooks and prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Medicinal chemistry

Leadership

Project management

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

Mass Spectrometry

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced Lead Chemist to spearhead pharmaceutical development initiatives at their facility in Tembisa . This senior position involves overseeing the synthesis, characterization, and formulation of new drug candidates. You will play a crucial role in the drug discovery and development process, ensuring the highest standards of quality and innovation are met. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership capabilities, a deep understanding of organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry, and a passion for contributing to life-saving therapies within a dedicated research and development team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of synthetic routes for novel pharmaceutical compounds.
• Oversee the purification, structural elucidation, and characterization of synthesized molecules using advanced analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC).
• Develop and optimize formulation strategies for drug candidates, ensuring stability and bioavailability.
• Manage a team of chemists and technicians, providing technical guidance and mentorship.
• Collaborate with regulatory affairs and quality control departments to ensure compliance with industry standards and guidelines.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare comprehensive reports on research findings for internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical R&D, with a focus on drug synthesis and development.
• Demonstrated expertise in synthetic organic chemistry , reaction mechanism, and stereochemistry.
• Proficiency with analytical techniques such as NPM, Mass Spectrometry, and HPLC.
• Proven experience in leading research teams and managing complex projects from conception to completion.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Performance-based incentives and annual bonuses.
• Generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development in Tembisa .