Lead Medicinal Chemist - Synthetic Drug Design

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary with bonuses

Comprehensive health benefits (medical

Flexible schedule

Technology stipend for remote setup

Professional development opportunities

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Medicinal Chemist for a remote-first research team at a pioneering pharmaceutical company. You will lead design and synthesis of novel small molecules and mentor remote scientists to accelerate drug discovery.

Requirements include a Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry, 7+ years in pharma/biotech, and leadership of discovery-to-early-development programs with expertise in SAR, asymmetric synthesis, cross-coupling, and ADMET optimization.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with emphasis on synthetic methodology.
• 7+ years hands-on medicinal chemistry in pharma/biotech.
• Proven leadership of discovery-to-early-development projects.
• Expertise in asymmetric synthesis, cross-coupling, and heterocyclic chemistry.
• Strong ADMET understanding and optimization in drug design.
• Experience with computational chemistry for modeling and SAR.
• Able to manage projects and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• Excellent leadership and communication for remote collaboration.
• Track record of patents and publications.
• Proficiency in drawing and database tools (ChemDraw, SciFinder).
• Experience in oncology, infectious diseases, or immunology is advantageous.
• Proactive, autonomous work style.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small-molecule drug candidates.
• Direct and mentor a team of synthetic medicinal chemists remotely.
• Develop innovative synthetic routes to access complex molecules.
• Collaborate with computational chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists in virtual settings.
• Oversee planning and execution of synthesis projects with timely delivery.
• Contribute to strategic direction of drug discovery programs.
• Present findings to senior management and project teams.
• Ensure rigorous documentation of procedures and data.
• Stay current with advancements in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.

Skills

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

Remote leadership

IP/publications

Education

Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

ChemDraw

SciFinder

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical company at the forefront of innovative drug development, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Medicinal Chemist to join their globally distributed, remote-first research team. This pivotal role is based remotely, supporting the company's ambitious drug discovery programs. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of therapeutic interventions by leading the design and synthesis of novel small molecules. This position requires a deep understanding of chemical principles, drug-target interactions, and structure-activity relationships (SAR). The ideal candidate thrives in an independent, results-driven environment, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and collaborative virtual interactions to accelerate the discovery process. As a remote leader, you will inspire and guide synthetic chemistry efforts, ensuring alignment with strategic research objectives and driving project progression from hit identification through lead optimization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecule drug candidates targeting key disease pathways.
• Direct and mentor a team of synthetic medicinal chemists working remotely.
• Develop innovative synthetic routes and strategies to access complex molecular architectures.
• Collaborate closely with computational chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists in a virtual setting to drive SAR understanding and guide design efforts.
• Oversee the planning and execution of chemical synthesis projects, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality compounds.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of drug discovery programs and identify new opportunities for innovation.
• Present research findings and project updates to senior management and project teams.
• Ensure rigorous documentation of synthetic procedures, experimental data, and intellectual property.
• Stay current with advancements in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and relevant therapeutic areas.
• Foster a collaborative and productive remote working environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry with a strong emphasis on synthetic methodology.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in medicinal chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated success in leading medicinal chemistry projects from discovery to early development.
• Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, including asymmetric synthesis, cross-coupling reactions, and heterocyclic chemistry.
• Strong understanding of ADMET properties and their optimization in drug design.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools and techniques for molecular modeling and SAR analysis.
• Proven ability to manage projects, prioritize tasks, and meet challenging deadlines in a remote setting.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, effective for remote collaboration.
• Track record of contributing to patent filings and scientific publications.
• Proficiency in chemical drawing and database software (e.g., ChemDraw, SciFinder).
• Experience in relevant therapeutic areas such as oncology, infectious diseases, or immunology is advantageous.
• A proactive, problem-solving attitude and the ability to work autonomously.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary package, including a generous base salary and potential for significant performance-based bonuses.
• Our client provides comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, recognizing the unique needs of remote employees.
• A flexible work schedule is offered, allowing for optimal work-life balance.
• The company also provides a technology stipend to ensure employees have the necessary equipment for a productive remote workspace.
• Opportunities for professional development, including online courses and virtual conferences, are readily available.
• Employees are encouraged to maintain their professional networks and pursue further training.
• A retirement savings plan is offered, contributing to long-term financial security.