Senior API Process Chemist — Hybrid, Growth & Impact

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Life insurance

Hybrid work model

Paid time off

Professional growth

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Process Chemist in Paarl, Western Cape. The role focuses on development, optimization, and scale-up of API synthesis with GMP compliance. It combines lab, pilot plant work with data analysis and documentation in a hybrid setup.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or MSc in chemistry and at least 6 years in pharmaceutical process chemistry, with strong organic synthesis expertise and leadership capabilities for cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Chemistry-related field per requirements.
• 6+ years in pharmaceutical process chemistry or API development.
• Strong knowledge of organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and catalysis.
• Experience with scale-up and troubleshooting chemical reactions.
• Familiarity with API characterization techniques (HPLC, GC, NMR, MS, XRPD).
• Understanding GMP, safety, and environmental regulations; data analysis focus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize APIs for large-scale manufacturing.
• Conduct lab experiments to explore new synthetic methods.
• Perform process characterization, including kinetics and impurity profiling.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for processes and intermediates.
• Scale up processes from bench to pilot plant and commercial scale.
• Troubleshoot issues and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare process development reports, batch records, and validation docs.
• Collaborate with R&D, analytical, engineering, and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Process scale-up

DoE

PAT

Project management

Data analysis

Communication

Leadership

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

MSc in Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

NMR

MS

XRPD

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Process Chemist in Paarl, Western Cape. The role focuses on development, optimization, and scale-up of API synthesis with GMP compliance. It combines lab, pilot plant work with data analysis and documentation in a hybrid setup.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or MSc in chemistry and at least 6 years in pharmaceutical process chemistry, with strong organic synthesis expertise and leadership capabilities for cross-functional teams.