Senior Computational Chemist - Remote First

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,976,000 - 2,964,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Professional growth via online courses

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Computational Chemist for a fully remote role within a global research team. You will develop and apply computational models, run QM/MM/DFT studies, and design compounds to advance early-stage drug discovery and materials science.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry or related field with 7+ years of experience, strong programming in Python, and a track record of publications.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in chemical innovation and discovery, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Computational Chemist to join their fully remote research team. This role is integral to driving early-stage drug discovery and materials science through the application of advanced computational methods. You will be responsible for developing and applying computational models, simulations, and data analysis techniques to predict molecular properties, design novel compounds, and optimize chemical processes. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in chemistry, extensive experience in computational chemistry, and expert-level programming skills. This is a remote-first position, offering exceptional flexibility and the opportunity to collaborate with leading scientists across the globe from your home office. We are committed to fostering a culture of innovation and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. Join us in shaping the future of chemical research and development. We pride ourselves on our distributed team structure, ensuring seamless collaboration and support for all remote employees. This role is perfect for an experienced computational chemist seeking a high-impact, flexible career path.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply computational chemistry methods, including molecular modeling, QM/MM, DFT, and MD simulations.
• Design and virtually screen potential drug candidates or novel materials based on computational predictions.
• Collaborate with synthetic chemists, biologists, and materials scientists to guide experimental design and interpretation.
• Develop and implement cheminformatics tools and algorithms for data analysis and property prediction.
• Optimize computational workflows for efficiency and accuracy.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational chemistry software and methodologies.
• Contribute to scientific publications, patent applications, and presentations.
• Manage computational resources and data storage effectively.
• Mentor junior computational chemists and provide technical guidance.
• Communicate complex computational results clearly to interdisciplinary teams.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, Cheminformatics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant post-doctoral or industry experience in computational chemistry.
• Expertise in applying quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics methods to chemical systems.
• Proficiency in computational chemistry software packages (e.g., Gaussian, Schrodinger, AMBER, GROMACS).
• Strong programming skills in Python, and experience with scientific computing libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, RDKit).
• Experience with cheminformatics databases and QSAR/QSPR modeling.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for collaboration in a distributed team.
• Experience in drug discovery or materials science is highly desirable.
• Track record of publications in reputable journals.

Benefits

• This is a fully remote role offering unparalleled work-life integration.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans are available from day one.
• A generous retirement savings plan with company matching is offered.
• Excellent opportunities for professional growth, including access to online courses, virtual conferences, and collaborative platforms.
• Generous paid time off policy to support work-life balance.
• Home office setup stipend to ensure a productive and comfortable remote work environment.
• We foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning within our remote-first organization.