Lead Medicinal Chemist

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Conference attendance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Lead Medicinal Chemist to spearhead the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecules in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. You will guide a team of chemists from early discovery through lead optimization, collaborating with biology and pharmacology colleagues to advance the drug pipeline.

The role requires a PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry with 7+ years in industry, strong leadership, and expertise in SAR/SPR, ADME, and modern synthetic methods.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry with emphasis on synthetic organic chemistry.
• Minimum of 7 years in industry with drug discovery experience and contribution to preclinical drug candidates.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring of research teams.
• Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques, including asymmetric synthesis and catalysis.
• Proficiency in SAR/SPR analysis, ADME optimization, and computational chemistry tools.
• Strong understanding of biological assays and drug discovery processes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Experience in filing patents and authoring publications is a plus.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques such as NMR, MS, HPLC, LC-MS.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and synthesis of novel chemical entities with desirable pharmacological properties.
• Oversee and guide a team of medicinal chemists in daily research activities.
• Develop SAR/SPR for identified targets and guide optimization strategies.
• Plan multi-step organic synthesis routes and troubleshoot challenges.
• Collaborate with biology, pharmacology, and DMPK teams to define profiles.
• Manage project timelines and resources to meet milestones.
• Stay updated on advances in medicinal chemistry and synthetic methodologies.
• Contribute to publications, patents, and internal reports.
• Ensure adherence to safety and lab practices.
• Present findings at internal meetings and conferences

Skills

Leadership

SAR/SPR analysis

ADME optimization

Computational chemistry

Communication

Project management

Mentoring

Drug discovery

Patents

Education

PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

7+ years in drug discovery

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

LC-MS

Asymmetric synthesis

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Medicinal Chemist to spearhead their medicinal chemistry efforts in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This pivotal role involves leading a team of talented chemists in the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecules for therapeutic applications. You will play a critical role in advancing drug candidates from early discovery through to lead optimization, working closely with biologists and pharmacologists. This position is crucial for driving innovation and ensuring the successful progression of our client's drug pipeline. If you are passionate about groundbreaking drug discovery and possess strong leadership capabilities, this is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and synthesis of novel chemical entities with desirable pharmacological properties.


• Oversee and guide a team of medicinal chemists in day-to-day synthesis and research activities.


• Develop structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-property relationships (SPR) for identified drug targets.


• Plan and execute multi-step organic synthesis routes, troubleshoot synthetic challenges, and optimize reaction conditions.


• Collaborate closely with biology, pharmacology, and DMPK departments to define compound profiles and guide optimization strategies.


• Manage project timelines and resources effectively to ensure timely delivery of research milestones.


• Stay updated on the latest advancements in medicinal chemistry, synthetic methodologies, and relevant therapeutic areas.


• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, patent applications, and internal reports.


• Ensure adherence to all safety protocols and laboratory best practices.


• Present research findings at internal meetings and scientific conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry with a strong emphasis on synthetic organic chemistry.


• A minimum of 7 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery, with a proven track record of contributing to preclinical drug candidates.


• Demonstrated experience in leading and mentoring research teams.


• Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques, including asymmetric synthesis, catalysis, and purification methods.


• Proficiency in medicinal chemistry principles, including SAR/SPR analysis, ADME optimization, and computational chemistry tools.


• Excellent understanding of biological assays and drug discovery processes.


• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively.


• Experience in filing patents and authoring scientific publications is highly desirable.


• Familiarity with analytical techniques such as NMR, MS, HPLC, and LC-MS.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, and substantial paid time off. Opportunities for professional growth and development, including attendance at international conferences, are encouraged. The company culture values collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being, fostering a supportive environment in Durban. This role provides a platform to significantly impact the development of life-saving medicines. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates. We are committed to creating an inclusive and stimulating workplace.