Lead Medicinal Chemist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonuses

Stock options

Comprehensive medical aid

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, is seeking a Lead Medicinal Chemist to spearhead drug discovery programs at our R&D facility. You will guide a team of chemists in designing, synthesizing, and optimizing novel small molecule candidates aimed at diverse diseases.

The role combines strategic direction, project management, and hands-on chemistry, with collaboration across biology, pharmacology, and computation to deliver high-quality chemical entities for development.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with strong publication record.
• 7+ years of medicinal chemistry experience in pharma/biotech.
• Proven track record in hit-to-lead and lead optimization.
• Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and purification techniques.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools and SAR interpretation.
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of medicinal chemists.
• Design and synthesize novel organic compounds with potential therapeutic value.
• Conduct SAR studies to optimize lead compounds for potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to define target product profiles and guide drug discovery efforts.
• Manage external collaborations with CROs for synthesis and analytical support.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

SAR interpretation

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

Computational chemistry tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced Lead Medicinal Chemist to spearhead drug discovery programs within their R&D facility in George . This pivotal role involves guiding a team of chemists in the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecule drug candidates targeting various diseases. You will be responsible for setting strategic research directions, managing project timelines, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality chemical entities for further development. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned chemist to contribute significantly to therapeutic innovation in the Western Cape , working at the forefront of pharmaceutical research.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of medicinal chemists, fostering a collaborative and high-performance research environment.
• Design and synthesize novel organic compounds with potential therapeutic value, utilizing modern synthetic methodologies.
• Conduct structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize lead compounds for potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to define target product profiles and guide drug discovery efforts.
• Manage external collaborations with contract research organizations (CROs) for synthesis and analytical support.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences, contributing to the company's scientific visibility.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with a strong publication record.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in medicinal chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven track record in the discovery and development of drug candidates from hit-to-lead and lead optimization stages.
• Extensive knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and purification techniques.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools and data analysis for SAR interpretation.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills are essential for this role in George .

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with annual bonuses and stock options.
• Comprehensive medical aid, disability insurance, and retirement fund contributions.
• Support for continuous learning, including attendance at international conferences and workshops.
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities equipped with advanced synthetic and analytical instrumentation.
• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership within a growing research organization.