Lead Drug Discovery Chemist

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus program

Health insurance

Relocation assistance

Advanced equipment

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks an innovative Lead Drug Discovery Chemist to spearhead projects in their pharmaceutical research division. You will identify, synthesize, and optimize novel small molecules with therapeutic potential, working with biologists and analytical chemists to advance candidates from hit identification to preclinical development.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in organic/medicinal chemistry with at least seven years in drug discovery, leadership experience, and a track

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in drug discovery.
• Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, including modern synthetic methodologies and purification techniques.
• Strong understanding of ADMET properties and their impact on drug development.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel chemical entities targeting various disease pathways.
• Develop and validate robust synthetic routes for library synthesis and lead optimization efforts.
• Collaborate with biological teams to establish structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-property relationships (SPR).
• Utilize computational chemistry tools and databases to guide design and prioritize targets.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and external collaborations effectively to ensure project milestones are met.

Skills

Leadership

Medicinal chemistry

Drug discovery

SAR / SPR

Project management

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

Computational chemistry

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced Lead Drug Discovery Chemist to spearhead critical projects within their pharmaceutical research division in Cape Town . You will play a crucial role in identifying, synthesizing, and optimizing novel small molecules with therapeutic potential. This position requires a deep understanding of medicinal chemistry principles and a proven track record of contributing to drug discovery programs. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative setting, working closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and analytical chemists to advance candidates from hit identification through to preclinical development, driving significant contributions to unmet medical needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel chemical entities targeting various disease pathways.
• Develop and validate robust synthetic routes for library synthesis and lead optimization efforts.
• Collaborate with biological teams to establish structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-property relationships (SPR).
• Utilize computational chemistry tools and databases to guide design and prioritize targets.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and external collaborations effectively to ensure project milestones are met.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in drug discovery within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, including modern synthetic methodologies and purification techniques.
• Strong understanding of ADMET properties and their impact on drug development.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and incentive bonus program.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage and retirement planning.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
• Access to advanced chemical synthesis and analytical equipment.
• A dynamic and collaborative research environment in Cape Town fostering scientific growth.