Lead Research Chemist - Organic Synthesis

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Gauteng seeks an experienced Lead Research Chemist to spearhead an organic synthesis group in Tembisa. This senior role directs complex projects to discover novel chemical entities for pharmaceutical applications, designing efficient routes and troubleshooting syntheses in a hands-on lab.

You will mentor a team of researchers, collaborate with medicinal chemists, and drive publication-quality research while upholding high standards of R&D.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• 7+ years' progressive experience in synthetic organic chemistry with a strong publication record.
• Experience leading and managing a team of research scientists.
• Expertise in a wide range of organic synthesis techniques, including asymmetric synthesis and catalysis.
• Proficiency in using modern analytical instrumentation for compound characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, optimizing yield and purity.
• Lead and mentor a team of synthetic organic chemists, providing technical guidance and fostering collaboration.
• Develop and implement novel synthetic methodologies to overcome challenges.
• Conduct literature reviews and patent searches to inform research direction and strategy.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using NMR, MS, and HPLC.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and biologists to support drug discovery programs and SAR studies.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and innovative Lead Research Chemist to spearhead their Organic Synthesis research group in Tembisa. This senior position involves directing complex synthetic chemistry projects aimed at discovering and developing novel chemical entities for pharmaceutical applications. You will play a crucial role in advancing our client's pipeline by designing efficient synthetic routes, troubleshooting challenging syntheses, and ensuring the highest standards of chemical research and development. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned chemist to lead a team of talented researchers in a hands-on laboratory setting, contributing to significant breakthroughs in medicinal chemistry.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, optimizing reaction conditions for yield and purity.
• Lead and mentor a team of synthetic organic chemists, providing technical guidance and fostering a collaborative research environment.
• Develop and implement novel synthetic methodologies and strategies to overcome synthetic challenges.
• Conduct thorough literature reviews and patent searches to inform research direction and strategy.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced analytical techniques such as NMR, MS, and HPLC.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and biologists to support drug discovery programs and contribute to structure-activity relationship studies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in synthetic organic chemistry, with a strong publication record.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a team of research scientists.
• Expertise in a wide range of organic synthesis techniques, including asymmetric synthesis and catalysis.
• Proficiency in using modern analytical instrumentation for compound characterization.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to addressing synthetic challenges.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with annual performance incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
• Extensive opportunities for professional growth and development.
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and a dynamic research culture.