Principal Research Scientist - Organic Chemistry

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch seeks a Principal Research Scientist in Organic Chemistry to lead high-impact research programs, spearheading discovery and development of new compounds and scalable routes in a state-of-the-art lab. The role offers an opportunity to shape the company’s innovation pipeline and mentor a growing team.

You will mentor junior chemists, guide project strategy for the R&D department, and contribute to publications and patents while collaborating with process chemistry

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry required.
• 7+ years of progressive research experience in pharma or chemical industry with emphasis on synthetic organic chemistry.
• Expertise in modern synthetic methodologies, asymmetric synthesis, and reaction mechanisms.
• Extensive experience with purification and advanced spectroscopic/ chromatographic methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute innovative research programs in organic synthesis and methodology development.
• Design and perform complex multi-step syntheses of target organic molecules with high efficiency and purity.
• Characterize novel compounds using NMR, MS, IR, and HPLC.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for scalability and process robustness with process chemistry teams.
• Mentor junior research scientists and technicians, fostering scientific excellence.
• Author and review publications, patents, and internal reports.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Asymmetric synthesis

Reaction mechanisms

Project leadership

Mentoring

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

IR

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Principal Research Scientist specializing in Organic Chemistry to lead critical research initiatives within their state-of-the-art laboratory in Stellenbosch. This senior position involves spearheading the discovery and development of novel organic compounds and synthetic routes that drive the company's innovation pipeline. You will be responsible for guiding complex research projects, mentoring junior chemists, and contributing significantly to the scientific strategy of the R&D department. This is a unique opportunity to make a substantial impact in a leading research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute innovative research programs in organic synthesis and methodology development.
• Design and perform complex multi-step syntheses of target organic molecules with high efficiency and purity.
• Characterize novel compounds using advanced analytical techniques, including NMR, MS, IR, and HPLC.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for scalability and process robustness, working closely with process chemistry teams.
• Critically evaluate experimental results, identify challenges, and propose creative solutions to complex synthetic problems.
• Mentor and guide junior research scientists and technicians, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration.
• Author and review scientific publications, patents, and internal research reports.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive research experience in the pharmaceutical or chemical industry, with a strong emphasis on synthetic organic chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic methodologies, asymmetric synthesis, and reaction mechanism studies.
• Extensive experience with purification techniques and advanced spectroscopic and chromatographic methods for compound characterization.
• Proven ability to lead research projects from conception to completion and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, essential for collaboration in Stellenbosch.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive bonus structure.
• Robust health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement plan with generous company matching.
• Significant investment in professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• Access to cutting-edge instrumentation and a collaborative research environment.