Research Scientist - Pharmaceutical Development

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,958,000 - 2,936,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Budget for home office setup

Continuing education

Scientific conferences

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an accomplished Research Scientist specializing in Pharmaceutical Development to join their fully remote global R&D team. This pivotal role involves leading the design, execution, and optimization of processes for the development of novel pharmaceutical compounds.

You will utilize your extensive knowledge of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery to contribute to the advancement of our therapeutic pipeline.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical R&D, with a focus on small molecule drug discovery.
• Demonstrated expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry principles.
• Strong understanding of drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics (DMPK), and toxicology principles.
• Experience with relevant analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC) and data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new drug candidates, from target identification through to preclinical development.
• Design and execute synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, optimizing for yield, purity, and scalability.
• Conduct rigorous structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize compound potency and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams remotely.
• Develop and implement analytical methods for characterization and quality control of drug candidates.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and regulatory documents for internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

Organic chemistry

Drug discovery

SAR studies

Regulatory documents

Education

Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Research Scientist specializing in Pharmaceutical Development to join their fully remote global research and development team. This pivotal role involves leading the design, execution, and optimization of processes for the development of novel pharmaceutical compounds. You will utilize your extensive knowledge of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery to contribute to the advancement of our therapeutic pipeline. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, independent researcher with a proven track record in pharmaceutical R&D and a passion for innovation. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to life-changing medical advancements from the convenience of a remote work setup, collaborating with world-class scientists and leveraging state-of-the-art virtual research tools.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new drug candidates, from target identification through to preclinical development.
• Design and execute synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, optimizing for yield, purity, and scalability.
• Conduct rigorous structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize compound potency and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including biologists, toxicologists, and formulation scientists remotely.
• Develop and implement analytical methods for characterization and quality control of drug candidates.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and regulatory documents for internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical R&D, with a focus on small molecule drug discovery.
• Demonstrated expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry principles.
• Strong understanding of drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics (DMPK), and toxicology principles.
• Experience with relevant analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC) and data interpretation.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills, essential for a remote role.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive-level compensation package.
• Full remote work flexibility, enabling a balanced work-life integration.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
• Generous budget for home office setup, continuing education, and scientific conferences.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking therapies and make a significant impact on global health.