Lead Organic Chemist - Medicinal Chemistry

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Professional growth

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Organic Chemist for a fast-paced biopharmaceutical company in Kimberley, Northern Cape. The role focuses on designing, synthesizing, and optimizing novel small molecules as potential drug candidates, with leadership of a team of synthetic chemists.

You will guide synthetic routes, collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists, and drive SAR-driven lead optimization and ADME considerations, while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance in the lab.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry.
• 7+ years in synthetic organic chemistry with 3+ years in leadership.
• Proven expertise in modern synthetic methods and SAR.
• Experience designing diverse chemical libraries for drug discovery.
• Strong pharmacokinetic understanding.
• Proficiency in structural elucidation (NMR, MS).

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of synthetic organic chemists on medicinal chemistry projects.
• Design and synthesize novel small molecules with therapeutic potential.
• Develop scalable synthetic routes for targets and key intermediates.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to optimize leads based on SAR and ADME.
• Oversee characterization using NMR, MS, IR and HPLC.
• Manage timelines, resources and budgets for synthetic chemistry.
• Stay updated on advancements in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to scientific direction.
• Ensure laboratory safety and ethical guidelines compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Medicinal chemistry

SAR analysis

Spectroscopy

NMR

Project management

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

NMR

Mass spectrometry

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic biopharmaceutical company, is actively seeking a talented Lead Organic Chemist to drive critical medicinal chemistry efforts in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This senior role is focused on the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecules as potential drug candidates. You will lead a team of synthetic chemists, guide the development of synthetic routes, and collaborate closely with biologists and pharmacologists to advance drug discovery programs. The ideal candidate possesses a strong track record in synthetic organic chemistry, particularly in the context of medicinal chemistry, and a deep understanding of structure-activity relationships (SAR). This is a vital leadership opportunity within a fast-paced research environment, aiming to discover breakthrough therapies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of synthetic organic chemists engaged in medicinal chemistry projects.
• Design and synthesize novel small molecules with therapeutic potential, focusing on specific disease targets.
• Develop efficient and scalable synthetic routes for target compounds and key intermediates.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to optimize lead compounds based on SAR and ADME properties.
• Oversee the characterization of synthesized compounds using advanced spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, IR) and chromatographic methods (HPLC).
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets for synthetic chemistry efforts.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to the scientific direction of the chemistry department.
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety regulations and ethical guidelines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in synthetic organic chemistry, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry methodologies and reaction mechanisms.
• Proven experience in designing and synthesizing diverse chemical libraries for drug discovery.
• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, including SAR, lead optimization, and basic pharmacokinetics.
• Proficiency in structural elucidation techniques (e.g., NMR, Mass Spectrometry).
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, crucial for leading a team in Kimberley, Northern Cape.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and exceptional opportunities for professional growth and scientific leadership.
• Employees in Kimberley, Northern Cape will work in a modern, well-equipped laboratory and contribute to the discovery of life-changing medicines.
• The company fosters a collaborative and innovative culture.