Remote Senior Medicinal Chemist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Medicinal Chemist for a fully remote role in biopharmaceutical drug discovery. You will design and synthesize novel small molecules, collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists, and guide lead compounds through the discovery pipeline.

Ideal candidates have a PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry, 7+ years in pharma/biotech, and a strong track record in SAR, ADMET, and structure elucidation using NMR and MS.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
• 7+ years of medicinal chemistry experience in pharma/biotech.
• Proven design and synthesis of biologically active small molecules.
• Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry reactions.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecule drug candidates.
• Plan and execute multi-step synthetic routes and optimize procedures.
• Collaborate with computational chemists to guide drug design.
• Evaluate in vitro and in vivo efficacy and ADMET properties.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

SAR analysis

Remote collaboration

Independent work

Communication

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

NMR

Mass spectrometry

Spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a forward-thinking biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of innovative drug discovery. We are seeking a highly accomplished Senior Medicinal Chemist to join our dynamic, fully remote research team. This role is pivotal in designing and synthesizing novel small molecules with therapeutic potential across various disease areas. You will collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to advance lead compounds through the drug discovery pipeline. This position is ideal for an experienced medicinal chemist who thrives in a remote-first setting, possesses strong synthetic expertise, and is driven by the challenge of discovering new medicines. If you are passionate about making a tangible impact on human health and excel in a collaborative, virtual environment, this is an unparalleled opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecule drug candidates using modern organic chemistry techniques.
• Plan and execute multi-step synthetic routes, troubleshoot challenging reactions, and optimize synthetic procedures.
• Collaborate with computational chemists to guide structure-based drug design efforts.
• Work closely with biologists and pharmacologists to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and ADMET properties of synthesized compounds.
• Interpret spectroscopic data (NMR, MS) and chromatographic data to confirm the structure and purity of synthesized molecules.
• Manage external synthesis projects and CRO relationships effectively.
• Contribute to the intellectual property strategy through patent filings and internal reports.
• Stay informed about the latest advancements in medicinal chemistry, synthetic methodologies, and relevant therapeutic areas.
• Present research findings clearly and effectively at internal meetings and scientific conferences.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to a collaborative and innovative research culture.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in medicinal chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated success in the design and synthesis of biologically active small molecules.
• Expertise in a wide range of modern synthetic organic chemistry reactions and techniques.
• Proficiency in structure elucidation using NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and other spectroscopic methods.
• Experience with structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis and iterative design cycles.
• Strong understanding of ADMET properties and their impact on drug discovery.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, crucial for remote collaboration.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects effectively in a remote setting.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools and databases is a plus.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers significant flexibility and autonomy.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary, bonus potential, and comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a retirement savings plan.
• We invest in our employees' professional development through training programs, conference support, and opportunities for growth within the company.
• Join a talented and passionate team dedicated to creating breakthrough therapies.
• You will have the chance to work on exciting projects with the potential to impact global health.
• Our client fosters a supportive and inclusive remote work culture, prioritizing work-life balance and employee well-being.
• Enjoy the convenience of working from anywhere while contributing to cutting-edge drug discovery.