Principal Drug Discovery Chemist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in Rustenburg seeks a Principal Drug Discovery Chemist to lead advanced small molecule discovery programs from target validation to lead optimization. You will design, synthesize and characterize novel compounds, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists and computational chemists to shape an ambitious pipeline in a dynamic research environment.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in organic/medicinal chemistry, 8+ years in drug discovery, and a proven

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in drug discovery within the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.
• Proven track record of advancing drug candidates through the discovery pipeline.
• Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and asymmetric synthesis.
• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry, PK/PD.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools (molecular modeling, docking) desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, creativity, and results orientation.
• Outstanding communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry efforts for multiple drug discovery programs from target validation to lead optimization.
• Design and synthesize complex organic molecules with desired pharmacological properties.
• Develop and implement robust synthetic routes and troubleshoot challenges.
• Use SAR/SBDD to guide optimization efforts.
• Collaborate with in vitro/in vivo pharmacology to assess efficacy and ADMET.
• Support development of computational chemistry tools for drug design.
• Present findings and strategic recommendations to senior management.
• Mentor junior chemists and foster a high-performance research culture.
• Stay updated on medicinal chemistry and drug discovery advancements.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

Drug discovery

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Education

PhD in Organic or Medicinal 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.