Process Development Chemist

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career growth

Modern laboratory facilities

Innovative projects

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Process Development Chemist in Durban to design, scale up, and optimize synthesis routes for new products. The role emphasizes organic chemistry principles, hands-on lab work, and process engineering mindset within a vibrant R&D team.

Responsibilities include developing scalable routes, characterizing compounds with NMR/HPLC/GC-MS, and preparing reports while maintaining rigorous lab notebooks. A PhD or MSc in Organic Chemistry is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience with synthetic organic chemistry and route optimization.
• Hands-on use of analytical instrumentation (NMR, HPLC, GC-MS).
• Familiarity with scale-up of chemical processes.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous experimental work.
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative R&D team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes from laboratory to pilot plant scale.
• Characterize intermediates and products using NMR, HPLC, GC-MS.
• Conduct process safety assessments and SOP development.
• Troubleshoot chemistry process issues with a focus on reproducibility.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists and engineers for product development.
• Maintain detailed notebooks and prepare technical reports.

Job description

Our client is looking for a skilled and innovative Process Development Chemist to join their research and development team in Durban. You will play a pivotal role in designing, scaling up, and optimizing chemical synthesis routes for new products. This position requires a strong understanding of organic chemistry principles and hands-on laboratory experience, coupled with an aptitude for process engineering and problem-solving. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of cutting-edge chemical products in a vibrant industrial hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for new chemical compounds from laboratory scale to pilot plant scale.
• Characterize reaction intermediates and final products using analytical techniques such as NMR, HPLC, and GC-MS.
• Conduct process safety assessments and develop safe operating procedures for new chemical processes in Durban.
• Troubleshoot and resolve chemical process issues, ensuring scalability and reproducibility.
• Collaborate closely with formulation scientists and engineers to ensure seamless product development.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports summarizing experimental findings and process recommendations.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Organic Chemistry, Chemistry, or a related field with a focus on synthesis.
• Proven experience in synthetic organic chemistry, including route design and optimization.
• Hands-on experience with various analytical instruments for chemical characterization.
• Familiarity with process scale-up principles and chemical engineering concepts.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail in experimental work.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative R&D team in Durban.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for scientific and professional growth.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
• Exposure to innovative projects within the chemical industry.
• A collaborative and stimulating research environment.