Remote Pharmaceutical Research Scientist (Drug Discovery)

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Performance bonus

Professional development budget

Remote tools and support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly motivated Remote Pharmaceutical Research Scientist to drive drug discovery initiatives from home. The role focuses on identifying novel targets, designing small molecules, and advancing preclinical candidates in a fully remote setting.

The position requires a PhD with 3+ years in drug discovery, strong skills in synthetic organic chemistry, PK/PD understanding, and scientific communication.

Qualifications

• PhD in a life science discipline (Medicinal Chemistry/Organic Chemistry/Pharmacology) or equivalent.
• 3+ years post-PhD in drug discovery with small molecule focus.
• Strong synthetic organic chemistry skills including design and characterization.
• Solid PK/PD understanding and drug metabolism principles.
• Proven ability to communicate complex data clearly in writing and talks.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecules for targeted therapeutic areas.
• Conduct literature reviews and identify potential drug targets and mechanisms of action.
• Collaborate with computational chemists and biologists to optimize lead compounds.
• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies to evaluate drug efficacy and safety.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and present findings to internal teams and management.
• Stay updated on latest advancements and competitive intelligence in drug discovery.
• Contribute to research reports, patent applications, and regulatory documents.
• Participate in virtual team meetings and project discussions with global teams.

Skills

Remote collaboration

Independent project management

Scientific writing

Data analysis

Literature review

Education

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry

Post-doctoral or industry drug discovery experience

Job description

About the Role

Our client is at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation and is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Remote Pharmaceutical Research Scientist to drive drug discovery initiatives. This is a fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility for candidates passionate about making a significant impact from the comfort of their home office. The successful candidate will play a critical role in identifying novel therapeutic targets, designing innovative small molecules, and advancing preclinical drug candidates through the early stages of development. This role requires a deep understanding of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and early-stage drug development processes. You will be an integral part of a global research team, contributing to the development of life-changing medicines. The role is based conceptually in Tembisa, Gauteng , but operates entirely remotely, allowing access to a wider talent pool. We are looking for a proactive individual who can manage their workload effectively, collaborate seamlessly with virtual teams, and contribute creative solutions to complex scientific challenges. This position is ideal for a self-starter with a strong research background and a passion for innovation in a remote setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Designing and synthesizing novel small molecules for targeted therapeutic areas.


• Conducting literature reviews and identifying potential drug targets and mechanisms of action.


• Collaborating with computational chemists and biologists to optimize lead compounds.


• Designing and executing in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies to evaluate drug efficacy and safety.


• Analyzing experimental data, interpreting results, and presenting findings to internal research teams and management.


• Staying abreast of the latest scientific advancements and competitive intelligence in drug discovery.


• Contributing to the preparation of research reports, patent applications, and regulatory documents.


• Actively participating in virtual team meetings and project discussions, providing scientific expertise.

Requirements

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, or a related life science discipline.


• Minimum of 3 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in drug discovery, with a focus on small molecule therapeutics.


• Demonstrated expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, including reaction design, optimization, and characterization of compounds.


• Strong understanding of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug metabolism principles.


• Experience with various assay formats (e.g., enzymatic, cell-based) and data analysis.


• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills, with a proven ability to communicate complex data clearly.


• Proficiency in using scientific databases and literature search tools.


• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote environment, demonstrating strong organizational and time management skills.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package, recognizing the specialized skills required for this remote position. Benefits include a comprehensive health insurance plan, a generous retirement savings contribution, performance-based bonuses, and a budget for professional development, including online courses and conference attendance. Our client provides state-of-the-art remote working tools and support to ensure productivity and engagement. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge pharmaceutical research from anywhere, impacting global health.