Senior Medicinal Chemist

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Growth opportunities

Advanced lab equipment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Medicinal Chemist in Klerksdorp to design and synthesize novel small molecules for drug discovery. You will collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists to drive lead optimization through SAR studies and rigorous SAR analyses.

The role requires a Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry and at least 5 years in drug discovery. A hybrid work model balances innovation with collaboration, with access to advanced synthesis and analytical facilities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry required.
• Minimum 5 years in drug discovery with medicinal chemistry focus.
• Proven expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and modern methods.
• Understanding of ADME/Tox and target-based design.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecules for specified targets.
• Conduct SAR studies to optimize potency and PK properties.
• Collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists to assess activity and selectivity.
• Plan and execute synthetic routes, troubleshoot, and optimize conditions.
• Characterize compounds using standard analytical techniques and document data.
• Maintain thorough lab notebooks and contribute to IP filings.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

Drug discovery

SAR studies

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Ph.D. in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

Computational chemistry tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a highly motivated Senior Medicinal Chemist to join their dynamic drug discovery team in Klerksdorp . This role is integral to designing and synthesizing novel small molecules with therapeutic potential, contributing to the development of next-generation pharmaceuticals. You will collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and other chemists to drive lead optimization programs forward, employing creative synthetic strategies and rigorous structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in organic synthesis, a keen understanding of drug discovery principles, and a passion for translating scientific concepts into tangible therapeutic advances within a hybrid work model that balances innovation with collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecules aimed at specific biological targets, focusing on lead generation and optimization.
• Conduct SAR studies to iteratively improve the potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties of drug candidates.
• Collaborate closely with biologists and pharmacologists to assess compound activity and selectivity in relevant assays.
• Plan and execute synthetic routes for target compounds, troubleshoot synthetic challenges, and optimize reaction conditions.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using standard analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC) and ensure data integrity.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks and contribute to intellectual property filings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in drug discovery, with a strong emphasis on medicinal chemistry.
• Proven expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, including a wide range of modern synthetic methodologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of drug discovery processes, ADME/Tox properties, and target-based drug design.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools for molecular modeling and design is a plus.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development in a cutting-edge research setting.
• Access to advanced synthesis and analytical equipment in Klerksdorp.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment with a focus on advancing human health.