Remote Lead Medicinal Chemist - Drug Discovery Leader

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Medicinal Chemist to drive drug discovery initiatives from a research hub in South Africa. You will remotely guide a team of chemists in designing, synthesizing, and optimizing novel drug candidates, shaping discovery strategies and applying cutting-edge methods.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in pharma/biotech, PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry, and a proven track record leading drug discovery projects. Strong SAR, ADMET, and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
• 7+ years in pharma/biotech with drug discovery focus.
• Proven track record in discovering clinical candidates.
• Strong ADMET and stereochemistry expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of medicinal chemists in designing and synthesizing novel small molecules.
• Develop innovative synthetic strategies and guide complex organic transformations.
• Oversee lead-optimization to improve potency, selectivity, PK, and safety.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to drive momentum.
• Design and interpret SAR studies to guide compound selection and optimization.
• Ensure timely delivery of chemical matter for biological testing and preclinical development.
• Contribute to IP generation through patent filings and publications.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets to hit milestones.
• Stay updated on medicinal chemistry advances and therapeutic areas.
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration.

Skills

Team leadership

SAR expertise

ADMET optimization

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Medicinal Chemist to drive drug discovery initiatives from a research hub in South Africa. You will remotely guide a team of chemists in designing, synthesizing, and optimizing novel drug candidates, shaping discovery strategies and applying cutting-edge methods.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in pharma/biotech, PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry, and a proven track record leading drug discovery projects. Strong SAR, ADMET, and leadership skills are essential.