Process Development Chemist

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid role

State-of-the-art facility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Process Development Chemist for a leading specialty chemicals company in Cape Town, Western Cape. The role focuses on researching, developing, and optimizing synthesis routes and production processes for novel chemical products.

You will translate lab findings to scalable, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing methods, collaborating with R&D, engineering, and production teams in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years in process development chemistry or chemical process engineering.
• Experience in synthetic route design and optimization.
• Hands-on with laboratory and pilot plant equipment.
• Strong knowledge of analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, NMR, MS).
• Familiarity with process safety and risk assessment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for new compounds.
• Design experiments to evaluate process parameters and identify optimal conditions.
• Perform laboratory-scale and pilot-scale trials to validate process feasibility and scalability.
• Analyze reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer to improve process efficiency.
• Develop analytical methods for in-process control and final product quality assessment.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, engineers, and production teams.
• Ensure all laboratory and pilot operations comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patents and publications.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Education

PhD or Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Laboratory & pilot plant equipment

DoE methodologies

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the specialty chemicals sector located in Cape Town, Western Cape, is seeking a highly skilled Process Development Chemist. This crucial role involves the research, development, and optimization of chemical synthesis routes and manufacturing processes for novel chemical products. The successful candidate will possess a strong academic background in chemistry or chemical engineering, coupled with hands-on experience in laboratory and pilot-scale process development. You will be instrumental in translating laboratory discoveries into commercially viable production methods, ensuring efficiency, safety, and scalability. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge chemical innovation within a thriving industrial hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for new chemical compounds.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate process parameters and identify optimal conditions.
• Perform laboratory-scale and pilot-scale trials to validate process feasibility and scalability.
• Analyze reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer to improve process efficiency.
• Develop analytical methods for in-process control and final product quality assessment.
• Troubleshoot process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research summaries, and process documentation.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, engineers, and production teams.
• Ensure all laboratory and pilot operations comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patents and publications.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development chemistry or chemical process engineering, preferably in pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, or specialty chemicals.
• Proven track record in synthetic route design and optimization.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory and pilot plant equipment.
• Strong understanding of analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, NMR, MS).
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to interpret complex data and translate it into practical solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with process safety principles and risk assessment.
• Experience with DoE (Design of Experiments) methodologies is desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and substantial opportunities for professional growth and development. You will be working in a state-of-the-art facility in Cape Town, contributing to innovative projects within the Western Cape chemical industry. This hybrid role allows for flexibility while ensuring close collaboration with research and production teams. Join a forward-thinking company that values scientific excellence and invests in its employees' careers.