Lead Organic Chemist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Executive benefits

Relocation assistance

Cutting-edge facilities

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Organic Chemist to spearhead synthetic chemistry programs in George. This senior role focuses on designing and executing novel routes to complex organic molecules, driving discovery in pharmaceuticals and materials.

You will lead a team of chemists, promoting scientific excellence and rigorous methodology. You will mentor staff, manage projects and budgets, and translate chemical challenges into successful research outcomes while contributing to the company’s

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Leadership or principal investigator experience.
• Strong publication record and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and execute multi-step synthetic pathways with high yield.
• Lead and mentor a team of organic chemists.
• Develop innovative synthetic methodologies for challenging transformations.
• Conduct literature reviews and patent searches to guide strategy.
• Characterize compounds using NMR, MS, IR, UV-Vis and chromatography.
• Uphold lab safety and foster a collaborative environment.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Project management

Scientific publications

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

IR

HPLC

GC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Lead Organic Chemist to spearhead their synthetic chemistry research programs in George . This senior position is critical for designing and executing novel synthetic routes to complex organic molecules, driving discovery in areas such as pharmaceuticals and advanced materials. You will lead a team of talented chemists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, rigorous methodology, and continuous improvement. The role demands exceptional synthetic expertise, a deep understanding of reaction mechanisms, and the ability to translate complex chemical challenges into successful research outcomes, contributing significantly to the company's innovation pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and execute multi-step synthetic pathways for target organic molecules with high yield and purity.


• Lead and mentor a team of organic chemists, providing technical guidance and performance feedback.


• Develop and implement innovative synthetic methodologies to overcome challenging chemical transformations.


• Conduct thorough literature reviews and patent searches to inform research strategies and identify new opportunities.


• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, IR, UV-Vis) and chromatographic methods (HPLC, GC).


• Ensure laboratory safety protocols are strictly adhered to and contribute to a safe working environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related field.


• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in synthetic organic chemistry, with a significant portion in a leadership or principal investigator role.


• Demonstrated expertise in a broad range of organic reactions, including asymmetric synthesis, catalysis, and heterocyclic chemistry.


• Proficiency in modern analytical and purification techniques for complex molecules.


• Proven ability to manage research projects, budgets, and personnel effectively.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of scientific publications and presentations.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive-level benefits package.


• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership development.


• Access to cutting-edge laboratory infrastructure and resources in George .


• Generous relocation assistance if required.


• A collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment focused on groundbreaking discoveries.