Principal Chemist - Pharmaceutical Research

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary and bonus structure

Health and wellness programs

Professional growth and conference/pub

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town invites a Principal Chemist to lead R&D in their pharmaceutical division. You will design, synthesize, and characterize novel small molecules for therapeutic use, guiding projects from conception through preclinical stages.

The role leverages expertise in organic and medicinal chemistry, SAR analysis, and computational tools, with leadership responsibilities in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry or closely related field.
• 8+ years in pharmaceutical R&D with focus on small molecule drug discovery.
• Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms and stereoselective synthesis.
• Proficiency in modern analytical techniques for compound characterization.
• Experience with SAR analysis and computational chemistry tools.
• Strong leadership, project management and communication skills in a hybrid work setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and synthesis of novel chemical entities with pharmacological profiles.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for target compounds for scalability and reproducibility.
• Characterize compounds using NMR, MS, HPLC and related methods.
• Collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists to evaluate lead compounds.
• Manage research projects including resources, timelines and risk assessment.
• Stay updated on literature and advances in medicinal and synthetic chemistry.

Skills

Synthetic organic chemistry

Reaction mechanisms

Stereoselective synthesis

Analytical techniques

SAR analysis

Computational chemistry

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

Computational chemistry tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary Principal Chemist to lead critical research and development initiatives within their pharmaceutical division in Cape Town . This senior role will focus on the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel small molecules for therapeutic applications, contributing directly to the company's drug discovery pipeline. You will leverage your extensive expertise in organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry to guide projects from conception through to preclinical development. This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a hybrid model, balancing focused lab work with remote strategic planning and data analysis, within a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and synthesis of novel chemical entities with desired pharmacological profiles.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for target compounds, ensuring scalability and reproducibility.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using a range of analytical techniques, including NMR, MS, and HPLC.
• Collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lead compounds.
• Manage research projects, including resource allocation, timeline management, and risk assessment.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and technological advancements in medicinal and synthetic organic chemistry.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical R&D, with a focus on small molecule drug discovery.
• Demonstrated expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and stereoselective synthesis.
• Proficiency in modern analytical techniques for compound characterization.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills, with the ability to thrive in a hybrid work setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and advanced analytical equipment.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility between on-site and remote work.
• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
• Opportunities for professional growth, conference attendance, and publication.