Remote Senior Medicinal Chemist

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work setup allowance

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Senior Medicinal Chemist to join a cutting-edge drug discovery team in South Africa. Design, synthesize, and optimize novel small molecule candidates from a home office, leveraging SAR and collaboration with cross-functional scientists.

The role requires a PhD in medicinal/organic chemistry and 5+ years in drug discovery, with expertise in modern organic synthesis and SAR-driven optimization. Remote work within SA is supported with a competitive package.

Qualifications

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry or related field.
• 5+ years in medicinal chemistry or drug discovery after PhD.
• Experience with SAR, hit-to-lead and lead optimization strategies.
• Proficiency with ChemDraw and SciFinder.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel chemical entities with desired pharmacological properties.
• Utilize SAR studies to optimize lead compounds for potency, selectivity, and PK.
• Collaborate with computational chemists for molecular modeling and virtual screening.
• Work with biologists and pharmacologists to design and interpret in vitro/in vivo assays.
• Develop and troubleshoot synthetic routes for scalable synthesis.
• Maintain electronic lab notebooks and prepare reports on synthetic strategies and results.

Skills

SAR analysis

Lead optimization

Organic synthesis techniques

Drug discovery

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

ChemDraw

SciFinder

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering pharmaceutical company seeking an exceptional Remote Senior Medicinal Chemist to join their innovative drug discovery team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will play a lead role in the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecule drug candidates targeting unmet medical needs. Leveraging your deep expertise in organic synthesis and drug design principles, you will drive key projects forward, collaborating closely with computational chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists. This role is perfect for a highly motivated scientist eager to make a significant impact on drug development from the comfort of their home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel chemical entities with desired pharmacological properties for various therapeutic areas.
• Utilize structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize lead compounds for potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic profiles.
• Collaborate effectively with computational chemists for molecular modeling and virtual screening efforts.
• Work closely with biologists and pharmacologists to design and interpret in vitro and in vivo assays to assess compound activity.
• Develop and troubleshoot synthetic routes, ensuring scalability and efficiency for potential future development.
• Maintain comprehensive electronic laboratory notebooks and prepare detailed reports on synthetic strategies, experimental results, and project progress.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in medicinal chemistry, with a strong track record in drug discovery.
• Expertise in modern organic synthesis techniques and a deep understanding of reaction mechanisms.
• Experience with SAR analysis, hit-to-lead optimization, and lead optimization strategies.
• Proficiency in using chemical drawing and database software (e.g., ChemDraw, SciFinder).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently and effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive remote work setup allowance.
• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and engagement in cutting-edge research.