Principal Research Chemist

Placements24; Klerksdorp; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Bonus potential

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development opportunities

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Research Chemist to lead advanced research initiatives at their Klerksdorp facility in North West, South Africa. The role emphasizes synthetic chemistry, catalyst development, and material science.

The ideal candidate will guide complex projects, mentor chemists, and contribute to IP through publications and patents while collaborating with process development and analytical teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic or Inorganic Chemistry with strong synthesis focus.
• Minimum 10 years of post-doctoral industrial research experience in synthetic chemistry.
• Proven expertise in complex organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and purification techniques.
• Proficiency with advanced analytical instrumentation for structural characterization.
• Strong track record of leadership, project delivery, and IP generation (publications/patents).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Experience in catalyst development and screening is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery and development of novel synthetic methodologies and chemical processes.
• Design and execute complex multi-step organic syntheses and catalyst screening experiments.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced analytical techniques (NMR, MS, IR, UV-Vis).
• Troubleshoot synthetic problems and develop robust solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior chemists and manage research projects.
• Author technical reports, patent applications, and publications.

Skills

Project leadership

Synthetic chemistry

Analytical instrumentation

Scientific writing

Mentorship

Communication

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

PhD in Inorganic Chemistry

Tools

NMR spectroscopy

Mass Spectrometry

IR spectroscopy

UV-Vis spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Research Chemist to lead advanced research initiatives at their facility in Klerksdorp, North West. This senior position is crucial for driving innovation in synthetic chemistry, catalyst development, and material science.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep theoretical understanding of chemical principles, coupled with extensive practical experience in experimental design and execution. You will be responsible for guiding complex research projects, mentoring junior chemists, and contributing significantly to the company's intellectual property portfolio.

The Klerksdorp location offers a dynamic environment for groundbreaking chemical research and development. This role demands a dedicated presence at the Klerksdorp site to foster close collaboration with laboratory teams and ensure the successful translation of research findings into tangible product improvements and new chemical entities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the discovery and development of novel synthetic methodologies and chemical processes.
• Design and execute complex multi-step organic syntheses and catalyst screening experiments.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced analytical techniques (e.g., NMR, Mass Spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis).
• Troubleshoot challenging synthetic problems and develop robust solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior chemists, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Manage research projects, including scope definition, resource planning, and timeline management.
• Author comprehensive technical reports, patent applications, and scientific publications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including process development, analytical chemistry, and product management.
• Stay current with the latest scientific literature and emerging trends in synthetic and catalysis chemistry.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, or a related field with a strong emphasis on synthesis.
• Minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral industrial research experience in synthetic chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in complex organic synthesis, reaction mechanism elucidation, and purification techniques.
• Proficiency with advanced analytical instrumentation for structural characterization.
• Proven track record of successful project leadership and delivering innovative chemical solutions.
• Strong publication and/or patent record.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Experience in catalyst development and screening is highly desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, research-intensive environment at our Klerksdorp facility.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive compensation package, including a generous salary, significant bonus potential, and comprehensive benefits. Employees benefit from access to cutting-edge research facilities and equipment in Klerksdorp. We provide ample opportunities for professional development, including attendance at international conferences and advanced training programs. A supportive and collaborative work environment encourages innovation and scientific excellence. This role offers significant career growth potential within a leading global chemical company based in Klerksdorp, North West.