Research Chemist - Organic Synthesis

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

State-of-the-art facilities

Medical and retirement benefits

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Research Chemist specializing in Organic Synthesis to join our client’s R&D team in Tembisa, Gauteng. The role focuses on designing, synthesizing, and characterizing novel organic compounds with potential pharmaceutical and materials applications.

You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to advance projects from discovery through to process development. The ideal candidate holds a PhD or MSc in Organic Chemistry, has hands-on experience in synthetic routes

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• Proven track record in synthetic organic chemistry with hands-on design and execution.
• Experience with modern analytical techniques: NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS, FTIR.
• Experience with literature searching and patent analysis tools.
• Strong problem-solving and teamwork.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex molecules.
• Purify and characterize compounds using NMR, MS, and HPLC.
• Optimize reaction conditions for yield, purity, scalability.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists and formulators to evaluate properties.
• Maintain detailed notebooks and contribute to reports and presentations.
• Stay updated with advances in organic synthesis and literature.

Skills

Synthetic route design

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Documentation

Education

PhD or MSc in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

GC-MS

LC-MS

FTIR

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative Research Chemist specializing in Organic Synthesis to join their R&D department in Tembisa . This role involves the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel organic compounds with potential applications in pharmaceuticals and materials science. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, contributing your expertise to drive projects from early-stage discovery through to process development. The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding of organic chemistry principles and hands-on laboratory experience in a dynamic research setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules.
• Perform purification and characterization of synthesized compounds using techniques such as NMR, MS, and HPLC.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and scalability.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists and formulators to evaluate compound properties and performance.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and contribute to technical reports and research presentations.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in organic synthesis and relevant scientific literature.

Requirements

• PhD or MSc in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Proven track record in synthetic organic chemistry , with hands-on experience in reaction design and execution.
• Proficiency in modern analytical techniques for compound characterization (e.g., NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS, FTIR).
• Experience with literature searching and patent analysis tools.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility between home and office.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.