Lead Pharmaceutical Chemist

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,600,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement fund with company-contrib

Professional development opportunities

Paid time off and holidays

Career advancement opportunities

Supportive team culture

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Lead Pharmaceutical Chemist to steer discovery programs and mentor a team of medicinal and synthetic chemists. You will design multistep routes, perform SAR-driven optimization, and collaborate with biology, pharmacology and toxicology teams to advance drug candidates.

The role emphasizes leadership, strategic thinking, and an ability to manage timelines and budgets, with a focus on safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
• 7+ years pharma R&D with drug discovery success.
• Extensive experience in asymmetric synthesis and complex molecules.
• Medicinal chemistry design principles and SAR analysis expertise.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor medicinal and synthetic chemists.
• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel small molecules.
• Conduct SAR studies to optimize drug candidates.
• Oversee scale-up and process optimization of promising compounds.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists.
• Manage project timelines, resources and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
• Stay current with literature and advances in medicinal chemistry.
• Contribute to IP through patent filings.

Skills

Leadership

Medicinal chemistry

SAR analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

Tools

ChemDBs

Molecular modeling

NMR/MS/HPLC

Job description

About the Role Our client, a renowned pharmaceutical research institution located in the vibrant city of **Cape Town, Western Cape**, is seeking an experienced and innovative Lead Pharmaceutical Chemist. This senior position is crucial for driving the discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents. The successful candidate will lead a team of talented chemists, overseeing all aspects of synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and process development. You will be responsible for designing and synthesizing complex organic molecules, evaluating their biological activity, and optimizing lead compounds for further preclinical development. This role demands a high level of scientific expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership capability. The work environment in **Cape Town, Western Cape** is collaborative and forward-thinking, dedicated to advancing global health through innovative drug development. We are committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering challenging projects and opportunities for professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of medicinal and synthetic chemists.
• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel small molecules.
• Conduct structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize drug candidates.
• Oversee the scale-up and process optimization of promising compounds.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists to advance drug discovery programs.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets effectively.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and regulatory guidelines.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and technological advancements in medicinal chemistry.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patent filings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical R&D, with a proven track record of success in drug discovery.
• Extensive experience in synthetic organic chemistry, including asymmetric synthesis and complex molecule construction.
• Demonstrated experience in medicinal chemistry design principles and SAR analysis.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to chemical challenges.
• Proficiency in using chemical databases and modeling software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information clearly.
• Experience with analytical techniques such as NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and HPLC.
• Familiarity with process chemistry and scale-up is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with an attractive performance-based incentive program.
• Employees receive comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• A generous retirement fund with company contributions is available.
• Professional development opportunities, including attending international conferences and workshops, are encouraged.
• The role is based in **Cape Town, Western Cape**, offering a stimulating work environment.
• We offer ample paid time off, including vacation leave, personal days, and public holidays.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing organization are significant.
• A supportive team culture fosters collaboration and innovation.