Research Chemist - Organic Synthesis

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Conferences

Advanced facilities

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly skilled Research Chemist specialized in Organic Synthesis to join our R&D team in Centurion. You will design and execute complex synthetic routes to API-level targets, optimize conditions for yield and scalability, and collaborate with medicinal chemists to drive drug discovery in a state-of-the-art lab.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with at least 4 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience, strong mechanistic knowledge, and proficiency

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry required.
• Minimum of 4 years post-doctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Proven track record in designing and executing complex total syntheses of natural products or pharmaceuticals.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, intermediates, and APIs.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and scalability of synthetic processes.
• Utilize a wide range of modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and instrumentation.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS, IR) and chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC).
• Collaborate closely with medicinal, process, and analytical chemists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and identify solutions to overcome obstacles.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Retrosynthetic analysis

Spectroscopy

Chromatography

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

Mass spectrometry

IR

HPLC

GC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a highly skilled and creative Research Chemist specializing in Organic Synthesis to join their innovative R&D team in Centurion . This role is critical for the design and execution of complex synthetic routes to novel compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. You will be a key contributor to our discovery pipeline, working in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment that encourages scientific rigor and exploration. This is an excellent opportunity for a chemist who is passionate about drug discovery, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to make significant contributions to the development of new therapeutic agents, fostering a culture of innovation and scientific excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, intermediates, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and scalability of synthetic processes.
• Utilize a wide range of modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and instrumentation.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using spectroscopic methods (e.g., NMR, Mass Spectrometry, IR) and chromatographic techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC).
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, process chemists, and analytical chemists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and proactively identify solutions to overcome obstacles.
• Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory records in compliance with company standards.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Proven track record in designing and executing complex total syntheses of natural products or pharmaceuticals.
• Strong knowledge of reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and retrosynthetic analysis.
• Proficiency in spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques for compound characterization.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a keen attention to detail.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present research findings effectively.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health and retirement plans.
• Opportunities for professional growth, attending scientific conferences, and continuous learning.
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities and advanced synthetic equipment.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment in Centurion focused on scientific innovation.
• Support for work-life balance with flexible working arrangements where possible.