Senior Medicinal Chemist

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonuses

Medical insurance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking a Senior Medicinal Chemist for our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical research organization, based in Paarl, Western Cape. You will design, synthesize and optimize novel small molecules to address unmet medical needs, collaborating with biologists, pharmacologists, and other chemists to advance candidates.

The role emphasizes SAR-driven design, lead optimization, and robust analytical characterization (NMR, MS, HPLC).

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years post-doctoral or industry experience in medicinal chemistry.
• Proven ability in design and synthesis of small molecules for drug discovery.
• Strong understanding of SAR and PK principles.
• Experience with analytical characterization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecules based on SAR and target profiles.
• Optimize lead compounds for potency, selectivity, PK properties, and safety.
• Use diverse synthetic chemistry methods to prepare target molecules and intermediates.
• Characterize compounds using NMR, MS, HPLC, and LC-MS.
• Collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists to run in vitro/in vivo assays.
• Interpret SAR data to guide next-generation design.
• Troubleshoot synthesis challenges and develop scalable routes.
• Maintain detailed lab records and report results, contribute to publications.
• Stay current with literature and advancements in medicinal chemistry.

Skills

Drug discovery

Medicinal chemistry

SAR interpretation

Project management

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

5+ years in medicinal chemistry

Tools

NMR

Mass Spectrometry

HPLC

LC-MS

Job description

About the Role

About the Role Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical research organization, is seeking an experienced Senior Medicinal Chemist to play a vital role in their drug discovery efforts. This position is based in our client's advanced research center located in Paarl, Western Cape . The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecules aimed at treating significant unmet medical needs. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of biologists, pharmacologists, and other chemists to advance drug candidates through the discovery pipeline. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of life-changing medicines in a collaborative and innovative setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecules with desired pharmacological properties, based on structure-activity relationships (SAR) and target profiles.
• Optimize lead compounds to improve potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, and safety.
• Employ a wide range of synthetic organic chemistry techniques to prepare target molecules and intermediates.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using analytical techniques such as NMR, Mass Spectrometry, HPLC, and LC-MS.
• Collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists to design and execute in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate compound activity and ADMET properties.
• Interpret SAR data and guide the design of next-generation compounds.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and develop efficient, scalable synthetic routes.
• Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory records, experimental data, and reports.
• Contribute to the preparation of patent applications and scientific publications.
• Stay current with the latest literature and advancements in medicinal chemistry and relevant therapeutic areas.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to a positive team environment.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or relevant industry experience in medicinal chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in the design and synthesis of small molecules for drug discovery.
• Strong understanding of SAR, drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetic principles.
• Proficiency with modern synthetic organic chemistry methodologies.
• Extensive experience with analytical techniques for compound characterization (NMR, MS, HPLC).
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a keen eye for detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in a specific therapeutic area (e.g., oncology, infectious diseases) is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary package, including annual performance bonuses, reflecting your valuable contribution.
• A comprehensive benefits program encompasses excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and company holidays, promotes a healthy work-life balance.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development, such as attending scientific conferences and specialized training, are actively supported.
• The role is situated within a cutting-edge research facility in Paarl, Western Cape , offering a stimulating and collaborative work environment.
• Retirement savings plans are also in place to support your financial future.