Lead Research Chemist - Medicinal Chemistry

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Wellness programs

Medical aid

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a Lead Research Chemist to guide medicinal chemistry efforts, designing, synthesizing, and optimizing novel small molecules for preclinical evaluation.

You will lead synthetic chemistry projects, troubleshoot complex routes, and deliver high-quality compounds while mentoring a team of chemists in a collaborative R&D environment. This is a leadership role with access to state-of-the-art labs in Durban and opportunities to publish results.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry or Organic Chemistry with emphasis on synthetic organic chemistry.
• 7+ years of drug discovery experience, with medicinal chemistry focus in pharma or biotech.
• Proven ability to design and execute complex synthetic routes and mentor chemists.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and synthesis of novel chemical entities targeting disease pathways.
• Optimize lead compounds through iterative cycles to improve potency and PK.
• Manage and mentor a team of research chemists.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists.
• Develop innovative synthetic strategies for challenging targets.

Skills

Leadership

Team mentoring

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry or Organic Chemistry

Tools

Asymmetric synthesis techniques

Heterocyclic chemistry

Purification techniques

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a dynamic Lead Research Chemist to guide their medicinal chemistry efforts in Durban. This critical role involves leading the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecules with therapeutic potential. You will be responsible for directing synthetic chemistry projects, troubleshooting complex synthetic routes, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality compounds for preclinical evaluation. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to drug discovery programs within a collaborative and innovative research setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and synthesis of novel chemical entities (NCEs) targeting specific disease pathways using advanced organic synthesis techniques.
• Optimize lead compounds for improved potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, and safety profiles through iterative design-make-test-analyze cycles.
• Manage and mentor a team of research chemists, providing technical guidance and fostering a productive laboratory environment.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to advance drug discovery projects from hit identification to lead optimization.
• Develop and implement innovative synthetic strategies to access challenging molecular targets efficiently.
• Ensure all laboratory activities are conducted safely and in compliance with company policies and regulatory guidelines in Durban.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related field with a strong emphasis on synthetic organic chemistry.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in drug discovery, with a substantial portion focused on medicinal chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, including asymmetric synthesis, heterocyclic chemistry, and purification techniques.
• Proven ability to design and execute complex synthetic routes and solve challenging chemical problems.
• Experience leading scientific projects and mentoring junior chemists.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong track record of collaboration and publication.

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary package, recognizing the experience and leadership offered.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical aid, and wellness programs.
• Generous annual leave and company-paid holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including participation in leading chemistry conferences.
• Access to state-of-the-art synthesis labs and analytical equipment in Durban.