Principal Drug Discovery Chemist

Placements24; Randfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,600,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Drug Discovery Chemist to lead medicinal chemistry efforts in drug discovery. You will design, synthesize, and characterize novel compounds, guiding SAR/SBDD strategies and collaborating with biology and computational teams to advance multiple programs in a dynamic research setting.

The role emphasizes leadership, deep synthetic expertise, and a track record of translating chemistry into qualified drug candidates within the pharmaceutical industry.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry required.
• 8+ years in drug discovery within pharma/biotech.
• Proven track record in advancing candidates through discovery pipeline.
• Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry and asymmetric synthesis.
• Strong knowledge of PK/PD and SAR/SBDD fundamentals.
• Experience with computational chemistry is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry efforts across multiple programs from target Validation to lead optimization.
• Design and synthesize complex organic molecules with desirable properties.
• Develop robust synthetic routes and troubleshoot synthesis challenges.
• Apply SAR/SBDD to guide optimization and drive results.
• Collaborate with biology, pharmacology, and computational teams to advance pipeline.
• Present findings to senior management and cross-functional groups.
• Mentor junior chemists and foster a high-performance culture.
• Stay updated on latest medicinal chemistry advances and methodologies.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

Leadership

Problem solving

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

Computational chemistry tools

Molecular modeling

Docking

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical research company, is seeking an exceptional Principal Drug Discovery Chemist to join their world-class team in Rustenburg. This senior role is central to driving innovative approaches in small molecule drug discovery, from target identification through to lead optimization. You will be responsible for designing, synthesizing, and characterizing novel chemical entities with therapeutic potential. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, synthetic organic chemistry, and drug development processes. You will play a key role in shaping the company's discovery strategy, collaborating with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to advance a robust pipeline of drug candidates. This is a unique opportunity to lead impactful projects in a highly dynamic and resource-rich research environment in North West.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry efforts for multiple drug discovery programs, including target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization.
• Design and synthesize complex organic molecules with desired pharmacological properties.
• Develop and implement robust synthetic routes and troubleshoot synthetic challenges.
• Utilize structure-activity relationship (SAR) and structure-based drug design (SBDD) principles to guide optimization efforts.
• Collaborate closely with in vitro and in vivo pharmacology teams to assess compound efficacy and ADMET properties.
• Contribute to the development of computational chemistry tools and strategies to enhance drug design processes.
• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to senior management and cross-functional teams.
• Mentor and guide junior chemists, fostering a collaborative and high-performance research culture.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in medicinal chemistry, synthetic methodology, and drug discovery technologies.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in drug discovery within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven track record of successfully advancing drug candidates through the discovery pipeline.
• Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and asymmetric synthesis.
• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD).
• Experience with computational chemistry tools (e.g., molecular modeling, docking) is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, and a results-oriented approach.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to mentor junior scientists.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, and performance-based bonuses.
• This position provides significant opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and exposure to cutting-edge drug discovery technologies.
• The collaborative and innovative culture in Rustenburg encourages scientific exploration and rewards innovation.
• Join a leading research organization making significant strides in therapeutic innovation and contribute to developing life-changing medicines from South Africa.