Principal Chemist - Medicinal Chemistry

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health coverage

Relocation package

Training & conferences

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Chemist to lead medicinal chemistry efforts in our Durban drug discovery division. You will design, synthesize, and optimize small molecule candidates, guiding programs toward milestones with a multidisciplinary team.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry and 8+ years of industry experience, with a track record in advancing compounds to preclinical stages.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry is required.
• At least 8 years of progressive medicinal chemistry experience in pharma/biotech.
• Experience designing and synthesizing complex organic molecules and optimizing drug leads.
• Strong SAR and SPR understanding; familiarity with computational chemistry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy and execution for drug discovery projects.
• Design and synthesize novel small molecules with favorable pharmacological properties.
• Optimize lead compounds through iterative design, synthesis, and testing cycles.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and DMPK scientists to advance programs.
• Mentor junior chemists and foster scientific excellence.
• Stay current with advances in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.

Skills

Leadership

Medicinal chemistry

Drug design

SAR/SPR analysis

Education

PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized pharmaceutical innovator, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Chemist to lead medicinal chemistry efforts within their drug discovery division in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal . This senior role demands exceptional synthetic organic chemistry skills, a deep understanding of drug design principles, and a proven ability to drive programs towards clinical milestones. You will be instrumental in designing, synthesizing, and optimizing novel small molecule drug candidates for challenging therapeutic targets. The ideal candidate will possess a strong track record of contributing to successful drug discovery campaigns and a passion for innovation in medicinal chemistry. Join a collaborative and dynamic research environment focused on developing life-saving medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy and execution for assigned drug discovery projects.
• Design and synthesize novel small molecules with desired pharmacological properties and ADMET profiles.
• Optimize lead compounds through iterative cycles of design, synthesis, and testing.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and DMPK scientists to advance programs.
• Critically evaluate experimental data and propose next steps for compound optimization.
• Mentor and guide junior chemists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and innovation.
• Stay current with the latest advances in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
• Contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.
• Manage external collaborations and contract research organizations as needed.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in medicinal chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated success in designing and synthesizing complex organic molecules and optimizing drug leads.
• Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and analytical methods (NMR, MS, HPLC).
• Strong understanding of structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-property relationships (SPR).
• Familiarity with computational chemistry tools and techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Track record of publications and/or patents in medicinal chemistry.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance bonuses, comprehensive health coverage, and a relocation package if applicable.
• Situated in the scenic coastal city of Durban, this position provides access to cutting-edge research facilities and a stimulating work environment.
• We invest in our employees' growth through ongoing training, conference attendance, and career advancement opportunities.
• Be part of a team that is making a real difference in global health.