Senior Computational Chemist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Chemist for a leading pharmaceutical research organization in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA. The role involves applying advanced computational methods to design and optimize drug candidates, supporting early discovery in a collaborative lab environment.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in computational chemistry or related field with 6+ years in pharma/biotech, strong coding (Python) and tools (Schrödinger, MOE, GROMACS, NAMD).

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Physical Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in computational chemistry in pharma/biotech.
• Experience with molecular modeling software (Schrödinger, MOE, GROMACS, NAMD).
• Expertise in docking, MD simulations, and QSAR.
• Proficiency in Python and cheminformatics toolkits (RDKit, OpenBabel).

Responsibilities

• Apply computational chemistry methods to design and evaluate drug candidates.
• Develop virtual screening strategies to identify hits.
• Analyze large chemical/biological datasets to guide lead optimization.
• Collaborate with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to integrate findings.
• Develop and maintain cheminformatics databases and tools.
• Present findings to project teams and senior management.
• Mentor junior computational chemists.

Skills

Python programming

Data interpretation

Analytical thinking

Ability to collaborate

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry or related field

Tools

Schrödinger

MOE

GROMACS

NAMD

RDKit/OpenBabel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical research organization, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Computational Chemist to join their innovative drug discovery team. This role will involve utilizing advanced computational techniques to design and optimize novel drug candidates. You will play a crucial role in the early stages of drug development, applying your expertise in molecular modeling, simulations, and cheminformatics to accelerate the discovery process. This position is based in our modern research facility in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA, offering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. The role offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for flexibility between working from home and contributing in person at our state-of-the-art laboratories.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply computational chemistry methods (e.g., molecular dynamics, docking, QM/MM) to design and evaluate potential drug candidates.
• Develop and implement virtual screening strategies to identify novel hits.
• Analyze and interpret large chemical and biological datasets to guide lead optimization.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to integrate computational findings into the drug discovery workflow.
• Develop and maintain cheminformatics databases and analysis tools.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational chemistry and drug discovery methodologies.
• Present research findings to project teams and senior management.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of research projects and intellectual property generation.
• Ensure the quality and reproducibility of computational studies.
• Mentor junior computational chemists and provide technical guidance.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Physical Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in computational chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven experience with molecular modeling software (e.g., Schrödinger, MOE, GROMACS, NAMD).
• Expertise in techniques such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and QSAR.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, and experience with cheminformatics toolkits (e.g., RDKit, OpenBabel).
• Strong understanding of organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience with data visualization tools and scientific databases.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and an attractive benefits package.

• comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• a generous retirement savings plan with company matching
• substantial paid time off
• professional development opportunities supported through training programs and conference attendance

This position in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA offers a stimulating career path in pharmaceutical research.