Senior Analytical Chemist - Pharmaceutical

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Health coverage

Continuing education support

Access to advanced analytical labs

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Analytical Chemist for its Pretoria-based Quality Control and R&D team. You will develop, validate and transfer analytical methods for pharma products, using HPLC, GC, MS, UV-Vis and dissolution testing to ensure GMP compliance.

The role requires an MSc/PhD in Analytical Chemistry with 6+ years' experience and strong data integrity, technical writing, and regulatory collaboration to support product development and registration in South Africa.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years in pharmaceutical analytical chemistry with method development/validation.
• Hands-on with chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic methods.
• Strong ICH and GMP knowledge for regulatory testing.
• Proven troubleshooting and documentation of analytical work.
• Excellent technical writing for protocols and reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and transfer analytical methods per regulatory guidelines.
• Perform routine and non-routine analysis of materials and products using multiple techniques.
• Operate and maintain advanced analytical instruments (HPLC, GC, MS, UV-Vis, dissolution testers).
• Investigate and resolve OOS results and method failures.
• Ensure all activities comply with GMP and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with formulation and regulatory teams to support development/registration.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge GMP/ICH

Technical writing

Data integrity

Method development

Chromatography (HPLC, UPLC, GC)

Education

MSc or PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related

Tools

HPLC

UPLC

GC

MS

UV-Vis

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Analytical Chemist to join their Quality Control and Research & Development department in Pretoria. This critical role involves developing, validating, and implementing analytical methods for pharmaceutical products, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. You will utilize a wide range of advanced analytical instrumentation to test raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of analytical techniques, strong regulatory knowledge (e.g., GMP, ICH), and a meticulous approach to data integrity and quality assurance, contributing to the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products developed and manufactured locally.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and transfer analytical methods for new and existing pharmaceutical products according to regulatory guidelines.
• Perform routine and non-routine analysis of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products using various analytical techniques.
• Operate and maintain advanced analytical instrumentation, including HPLC, GC, MS, UV-Vis, and dissolution testers.
• Investigate and troubleshoot analytical method failures or out-of-specification (OOS) results.
• Ensure all analytical activities are performed and documented in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists and regulatory affairs teams to support product development and registration.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical analytical chemistry, with a strong focus on method development and validation.
• Extensive hands-on experience with various chromatographic techniques (HPLC, UPLC, GC) and spectroscopic methods.
• Thorough understanding of ICH guidelines, GMP, and other relevant regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical testing.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex analytical issues and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent technical writing skills for protocol and report generation in a Pretoria-based laboratory.

Benefits

• Attractive salary package with performance-related incentives.
• Comprehensive health coverage and retirement benefits.
• Support for continuing education and professional certifications.
• Access to cutting-edge analytical laboratories and instrumentation.
• A stable and professionally rewarding work environment within a leading pharmaceutical research organization.