Principal Pharmaceutical Chemist

Placements24; Cape Town; Vor Ort; ZAR 1.200.000 - 1.800.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Retirement fund contribution

Professional development and global-PI

Zusammenfassung

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Principal Pharmaceutical Chemist to lead the synthesis and characterization of novel drug candidates within our R&D division. You will drive lead optimization and SAR studies, developing innovative synthetic routes while coordinating with biology and pharmacology teams to translate chemistry insights into therapeutic progress.

The role requires a PhD and 8+ years in pharmaceutical chemistry, with demonstrated leadership and a track record in early-stage drug

Qualifikationen

• PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry.
• Min 8 years pharma experience focused on synthetic/medicinal chemistry.
• Proven expertise in modern synthetic methods and purification.
• Experience leading drug discovery projects.

Aufgaben

• Lead design, synthesis, and purification of complex molecules for drug discovery.
• Direct medicinal chemistry efforts, lead optimization, and SAR studies.
• Develop innovative synthetic routes and troubleshoot transformations.
• Characterize compounds using NMR, MS, and HPLC.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists and other teams.

Kenntnisse

Medicinal chemistry

Synthetic chemistry

SAR studies

Lead optimization

NMR

MS/HPLC analysis

Communication

Team leadership

Ausbildung

PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

Computational chemistry tools

Jobbeschreibung

About the Role

Our client is at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation and is actively seeking a distinguished Principal Pharmaceutical Chemist to join their esteemed research and development division in Cape Town, Western Cape. This senior-level position demands a seasoned professional to spearhead the synthesis and characterization of novel chemical entities with therapeutic potential. You will play a critical role in advancing our drug development pipeline, from initial lead optimization to supporting early-stage clinical trials. The ideal candidate possesses an exceptional understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and drug metabolism, combined with a passion for driving scientific discovery in a rigorous, results-oriented environment. This role is essential for our ongoing commitment to delivering life-changing medicines from our Cape Town facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, synthesis, and purification of complex organic molecules for drug discovery programs.
• Direct and execute medicinal chemistry efforts, focusing on lead optimization and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
• Develop innovative synthetic routes and troubleshoot challenging chemical transformations.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using a range of analytical techniques, including NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and HPLC.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and other research teams to integrate chemical insights with biological outcomes.
• Provide strategic direction and technical expertise in synthetic and medicinal chemistry to project teams.
• Manage external contract research organizations (CROs) for specific synthetic chemistry needs.
• Author and review scientific publications, patents, and internal research reports.
• Mentor and guide junior chemists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and innovation within the Cape Town R&D department.
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety regulations and chemical handling procedures.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with a strong focus on synthetic and medicinal chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic methodologies and purification techniques.
• Proven success in contributing to multiple drug discovery projects, ideally leading to clinical candidates.
• In-depth knowledge of SAR principles, drug design strategies, and ADME considerations.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools and databases is advantageous.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to overcoming synthetic challenges.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and manage a team.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements in pharmaceutical development.

Benefits

• This position comes with a highly competitive salary and performance-related bonuses.
• Our client provides a comprehensive benefits package including excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• A generous retirement fund contribution is offered, alongside opportunities for continuous professional development, attending international conferences, and advanced training.
• Employees also enjoy substantial annual leave and paid time off.
• This role offers the chance to work in a state-of-the-art facility in beautiful Cape Town and contribute significantly to the advancement of pharmaceutical science.