Lead Synthetic Organic Chemist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Presencial; ZAR 1 200 000 - 2 000 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Competitive salary & bonus

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan

Professional growth opportunities

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Support for move to Mahikeng

Resumo da oferta

Placements24 seeks a Lead Synthetic Organic Chemist for our client in Mahikeng, North West. You will lead the design and execution of complex multi-step syntheses for drug discovery, mentor junior chemists, and drive innovation in medicinal chemistry.

You will manage senior-level projects, collaborate across departments, and contribute to patents and publications while maintaining a compliant, safe laboratory environment.

Qualificações

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or related field with strong medicinal chemistry background.
• Proven track record in multi-step organic synthesis and lead optimization.
• Experience mentoring junior chemists and managing research projects.

Responsabilidades

• Lead design and synthesis of novel small molecule drug candidates.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes; troubleshoot challenging reactions.
• Manage multiple synthesis projects with priorities and timelines.
• Supervise and mentor a team of synthetic organic chemists.
• Utilize NMR, MS, HPLC, GC for structure and purity assessment.
• Stay updated on latest advances in synthetic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemistry, biology and process development teams.
• Contribute to patents and scientific publications.
• Ensure safe, compliant laboratory operations per EHS guidelines.

Conhecimentos

Multi-step synthesis

Asymmetric synthesis

Organometallic chemistry

Reaction mechanisms

Purification techniques

Mentoring

Leadership

Formação académica

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Ferramentas

NMR

MS

HPLC

GC

Descrição da oferta de emprego

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized pharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing life-saving medicines, is seeking an experienced Lead Synthetic Organic Chemist for their R&D center in **Mahikeng, North West**. This critical role will involve leading the design and execution of complex multi-step organic syntheses to produce novel small molecules for drug discovery programs. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of modern synthetic methodologies, reaction mechanisms, and purification techniques, along with a proven ability to manage research projects and mentor junior chemists. You will play a vital role in driving innovation in medicinal chemistry and contributing to the advancement of new therapeutic agents. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art facility in **Mahikeng** and make a significant impact on human health. The position requires creativity, technical expertise, and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and synthesis of novel small molecule drug candidates using modern organic chemistry techniques.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes, troubleshoot challenging reactions, and ensure efficient production of target compounds.
• Manage multiple synthetic chemistry projects, setting priorities and ensuring timely delivery of results.
• Supervise and mentor a team of synthetic organic chemists, providing technical guidance and career development support.
• Utilize a wide range of analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC, GC) for compound characterization and purity assessment.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, and medicinal chemistry.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues in medicinal chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and process development.
• Contribute to patent filings and scientific publications.
• Ensure a safe and compliant laboratory environment, adhering to all EHS guidelines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related field from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in synthetic organic chemistry, with a focus on medicinal chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in multi-step organic synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis and organometallic chemistry.
• Strong knowledge of reaction mechanisms, protecting group strategies, and purification techniques.
• Proficiency with modern analytical techniques for structure elucidation and purity analysis.
• Proven experience in project leadership and team management.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong scientific judgment.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific data effectively.
• Experience in process chemistry or scale-up is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, commensurate with experience.
• A comprehensive benefits package includes premium health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a robust retirement savings plan.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, including attendance at leading scientific conferences and advanced training programs, are provided.
• Generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays, is standard.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates moving to **Mahikeng**.
• This role offers a unique chance to contribute to drug discovery in the **North West** province.