Lead Chemist - Pharmaceutical Synthesis

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical coverage

Pension plan

Career growth

Modern labs in Tembisa

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Lead Chemist to spearhead pharmaceutical synthesis in Tembisa. You will direct synthesis of complex organic molecules, optimize reaction pathways, and scale up processes for drug development.

You will lead a team of chemists, implement robust analytical methods (NMR, MS, IR), and collaborate with medicinal chemists and process engineers to advance projects in a state-of-the-art facility.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years hands-on experience in synthetic organic chemistry in pharma/medicinal chemistry.
• Proven track record of synthesizing complex molecules and leading research projects.
• Experience in process development and scale-up of chemical syntheses.
• Excellent understanding of spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, IR).
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, execution, and optimization of synthetic routes for pharmaceutical compounds.
• Oversee and mentor a team of synthetic organic chemists, providing technical direction.
• Develop and implement robust analytical methods for characterizing compounds.
• Manage laboratory operations, ensuring safety and high standards.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and process engineers to advance projects.
• Troubleshoot challenges and identify opportunities for process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Mentorship

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

IR

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and innovative Lead Chemist to spearhead their pharmaceutical synthesis efforts in Tembisa . This pivotal role involves directing the synthesis of complex organic molecules, optimizing reaction pathways, and ensuring the efficient scale-up of new chemical entities for drug development. You will lead a team of talented chemists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration. This position is integral to our client's mission of discovering and developing life‑saving medications, providing a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on drug discovery and process chemistry within a leading pharmaceutical company.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, execution, and optimization of synthetic routes for novel pharmaceutical compounds.
• Oversee and mentor a team of synthetic organic chemists, providing technical direction and fostering professional growth.
• Develop and implement robust analytical methods for characterizing synthesized compounds and intermediates.
• Manage laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintaining high standards of laboratory practice.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, process engineers, and other R&D teams to advance projects.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and proactively identify opportunities for process improvement and innovation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands‑on experience in synthetic organic chemistry, with a strong focus on pharmaceutical or medicinal chemistry.
• Proven track record of successfully synthesizing complex organic molecules and leading research projects.
• Demonstrated experience in process development and scale‑up of chemical syntheses.
• Excellent understanding of spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, IR) for structural elucidation.
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with annual performance incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Generous pension fund contributions and retirement planning support.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership development.
• State‑of‑the‑art research facilities located in Tembisa , fostering a productive work environment.