Senior Analytical Chemist - Pharmaceutical Development

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with annual bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Analytical Chemist to develop and validate analytical methods for pharmaceutical products in a GLP/GMP lab, using HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, IR and MS, and to support regulatory submissions. The ideal candidate holds an MSc or PhD in Analytical Chemistry (or related) and 6+ years’ pharma experience; strong independence and collaboration skills.

Benefits include a competitive salary, annual bonus, medical aid, retirement fund and professional

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands‑on experience in analytical method development and validation within the pharmaceutical industry.
• In-depth knowledge of ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical analysis.
• Proficiency with a wide range of analytical instrumentation, particularly HPLC (with detectors like UV, PDA, ELSD, MS), GC, and dissolution apparatus.
• Experience with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS, GC-MS) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical formulations and drug substance characterization.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and meticulous attention to detail.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously in our George laboratory.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and implement analytical methods for raw materials, in-process samples, and finished pharmaceutical products using HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, IR, and MS.
• Perform routine and non-routine analytical testing to support product development, stability studies, and quality control.
• Investigate and resolve analytical method deviations and out-of-specification results.
• Author and review method validation reports, analytical development reports, and technical documentation.
• Ensure all analytical activities comply with GLP and GMP regulations.
• Train and mentor junior analytical chemists on laboratory procedures and instrumentation.
• Contribute to the optimization of analytical processes and instrumentation for improved efficiency and accuracy.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to address product quality issues and support regulatory submissions.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Method development

GLP/GMP knowledge

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

MSc or PhD in Analytical Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

UV-Vis

IR

MS

Dissolution testing

Job description

About the Role

Join a world-class R&D team as a Senior Analytical Chemist at our esteemed client's facility in George, Western Cape . This role is crucial for the development and validation of analytical methods for new pharmaceutical products. You will be responsible for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of our client's innovative drug formulations through rigorous analytical testing and method development. Working within a state-of-the‑art laboratory, you will contribute significantly to the pharmaceutical pipeline, collaborating with formulation scientists, regulatory affairs specialists, and other key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in pharmaceutical analysis and a passion for scientific excellence. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the field of drug development, based in the beautiful coastal town of George .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and implement analytical methods for raw materials, in-process samples, and finished pharmaceutical products using techniques such as HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, IR, and MS.


• Perform routine and non‑routine analytical testing to support product development, stability studies, and quality control.


• Investigate and resolve analytical method deviations and out‑of‑specification results.


• Author and review method validation reports, analytical development reports, and technical documentation.


• Ensure all analytical activities comply with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations.


• Train and mentor junior analytical chemists on laboratory procedures and instrumentation.


• Contribute to the optimization of analytical processes and instrumentation for improved efficiency and accuracy.


• Participate in cross‑functional teams to address product quality issues and support regulatory submissions.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline.


• Minimum of 6 years of hands‑on experience in analytical method development and validation within the pharmaceutical industry.


• In-depth knowledge of ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical analysis.


• Proficiency with a wide range of analytical instrumentation, particularly HPLC (with various detectors like UV, PDA, ELSD, MS), GC, and dissolution apparatus.


• Experience with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS, GC-MS) is highly desirable.


• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical formulations and drug substance characterization.


• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and meticulous attention to detail.


• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously in our George laboratory.


• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with diverse teams.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with an attractive annual bonus structure.


• Comprehensive benefits include medical aid coverage, a substantial retirement fund, and paid time off.


• Opportunities for professional development, including workshops and advanced training, are actively encouraged.


• You will have access to modern laboratory equipment and a supportive work environment dedicated to scientific advancement.


• The role is situated in the scenic Western Cape , offering a high quality of life.


• Our client is committed to employee well‑being and career progression.