Principal Chemist - Analytical Development

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Advanced health coverage

Relocation assistance

Leadership development

Cutting-edge instrumentation access

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Chemist (Analytical Development) in Centurion to lead the design, validation, and implementation of advanced analytical methods for new chemical entities and pharmaceutical products.

The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, cross-functional collaboration, and mentorship of chemists, with access to cutting-edge instrumentation and a strong emphasis on scientific rigor.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or related field is required.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive analytical development experience in pharma/chemical industries.
• Strong knowledge of ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements for analytical validation.
• Proven leadership, communication, and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, validation, and optimization of analytical methods for small molecules and biologics.
• Investigate and troubleshoot analytical challenges to ensure robust method performance.
• Author and review method validation reports and regulatory submission documents.
• Provide expert analytical support to drug discovery, process development and quality control teams.
• Mentor junior analytical chemists and promote technical excellence.
• Stay current with emerging analytical technologies and regulatory guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related

Tools

HPLC

GC

MS

Spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a highly experienced Principal Chemist specializing in Analytical Development to join their prestigious research and development facility in Centurion . This senior role is critical for designing, validating, and implementing sophisticated analytical methods for the characterization of new chemical entities and pharmaceutical products. You will play a key role in ensuring the quality and integrity of our client's innovative pipeline, collaborating with formulation scientists, process chemists, and regulatory affairs. This position demands a deep understanding of analytical chemistry principles and a commitment to excellence in a highly regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, optimization, and validation of analytical methods for small molecules and biologics using techniques such as HPLC, GC, MS, and spectroscopy.
• Investigate and troubleshoot complex analytical challenges, ensuring timely resolution and robust method performance.
• Author and review method validation reports, analytical procedures, and regulatory submission documents.
• Provide expert analytical support to drug discovery, process development, and quality control teams.
• Mentor and guide junior analytical chemists, fostering technical expertise and best practices within the team.
• Stay current with emerging analytical technologies and regulatory guidelines, recommending implementation where appropriate.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in analytical development within the pharmaceutical or chemical industry.
• Extensive hands-on experience with a wide range of analytical instrumentation and methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements for analytical validation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects, manage timelines, and effectively communicate scientific findings.
• Proven experience in troubleshooting and problem-solving for analytical methods.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary and comprehensive benefits package, including advanced health coverage.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Access to cutting-edge analytical instrumentation and collaborative research projects.
• Relocation assistance may be available for highly qualified candidates.
• A culture that values scientific rigor, innovation, and employee well-being.