Principal Drug Discovery Scientist - Small Molecules

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a Principal Drug Discovery Scientist to drive early-stage small molecule programs from target identification through lead optimization.

The role requires a PhD and 8+ years of drug discovery experience, with leadership, collaboration, and strong communication skills, supported by a hybrid work model and opportunities to mentor and publish.

Qualifications

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years drug discovery experience in pharma/biotech, with small molecule focus.
• Extensive medicinal chemistry experience including design, synthesis, and SAR analysis.
• Proficient with drug discovery technologies and methodologies.
• Strong biology, pharmacology, DMPK and toxicology knowledge relevant to small molecule drug development.
• Proven ability to lead research projects and manage priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Experience with software for chemical drawing, data analysis, and literature search.
• Familiarity with a Hybrid work environment and remote/on-site collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead early-stage drug discovery projects focused on small molecules.
• Design and synthesize novel compounds with desired pharmacological profiles.
• Develop in vitro and in vivo assays to assess efficacy, selectivity, and pharmacokinetics.
• Conduct SAR studies and optimize lead compounds for potency, selectivity, and ADMET properties.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including computational chemists, biologists, toxicologists, and pharmacologists.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and present findings to project teams and senior management.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature, technologies, and trends in drug discovery.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patent filings and publications.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the scientific culture of the organization.
• Manage external collaborations with academic institutions and CROs as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

ChemDraw

Data analysis software

Literature search tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering novel therapeutics, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Drug Discovery Scientist specializing in small molecule discovery to join their R&D hub in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This senior role is central to driving innovative research programs from target identification through lead optimization. The Principal Scientist will leverage their extensive expertise in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and drug development to identify and prosecute new drug candidates for unmet medical needs. This position offers a challenging and rewarding environment for a scientifically driven individual looking to make a significant impact in drug discovery. The role operates under a Hybrid work model, balancing essential laboratory work with flexible remote collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to early-stage drug discovery projects focused on small molecule therapeutics.
• Design and synthesize novel small molecule compounds with desired pharmacological profiles.
• Develop and validate in vitro and in vivo assays to assess compound efficacy, selectivity, and pharmacokinetics.
• Conduct structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and optimize lead compounds for potency, selectivity, and ADMET properties.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including computational chemists, biologists, toxicologists, and pharmacologists.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and present findings to project teams and senior management.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature, technologies, and trends in drug discovery.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patent filings and scientific publications.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the scientific culture of the organization.
• Manage external collaborations with academic institutions and CROs as needed.

Requirements

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant drug discovery experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with a strong track record in small molecule development.
• Extensive experience in medicinal chemistry, including compound design, synthesis, and SAR analysis.
• Proficiency in utilizing various drug discovery technologies and methodologies.
• Strong understanding of biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology principles relevant to small molecule drug development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and strong analytical abilities.
• Superb written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex scientific data clearly.
• Experience with relevant software for chemical drawing, data analysis, and literature search.
• Familiarity with a Hybrid work environment and the ability to effectively collaborate remotely and on-site.

Benefits

Our client provides a highly competitive compensation package, including an attractive base salary, performance-based incentives, and comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, a robust retirement plan, and generous paid time off. Employees benefit from significant investment in professional development, including opportunities to attend international conferences, workshops, and advanced training programs. The company culture encourages innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence.