Senior Organic Chemist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Mahikeng, North West, South Africa is seeking a Senior Organic Chemist to lead the design and execution of multi-step synthetic routes for drug discovery projects. You will work closely with biologists to evaluate activity and properties of novel compounds in a modern laboratory.

The role requires a PhD in Organic Chemistry with 4+ years of relevant experience, hands-on modern synthetic techniques, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• At least 4 years postdoctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel chemical entities.
• Perform a wide range of organic reactions including C-C bond formations and asymmetric synthesis.
• Purify compounds using column chromatography, recrystallization and preparative HPLC.
• Characterize compounds using NMR, Mass Spectrometry and HPLC.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity and scalability.
• Collaborate with biologists and other chemists to evaluate biological activity and properties.
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks and contribute to scientific reports.
• Stay current with developments in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.
• Adhere to all laboratory safety protocols.

Skills

Complex synthesis design

Multi-step synthesis

Spectroscopic analysis (NMR / MS)

Analytical techniques (HPLC / GC)

Problem solving

Collaborative work

Written & verbal communication

Medicinal chemistry experience

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

4+ years postdoc/industrial experience

Tools

NMR

Mass Spectrometry

HPLC

GC

Job description

About the Role Our client, a respected pharmaceutical research organization, is seeking a highly motivated Senior Organic Chemist to join their Discovery Chemistry department. This role is integral to our drug discovery efforts and is based at our modern laboratory facilities in Mahikeng, North West .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel chemical entities targeting specific biological pathways.
• Perform a wide range of organic reactions, including C-C bond formations, heterocycle synthesis, and asymmetric synthesis.
• Purify synthetic compounds using techniques such as column chromatography, recrystallization, and preparative HPLC.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using analytical techniques including NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and HPLC.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and scalability.
• Collaborate with biologists and other chemists to evaluate the biological activity and properties of synthesized compounds.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks and contribute to scientific reports and publications.
• Stay abreast of new developments in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
• Adhere to all laboratory safety protocols and procedures.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of postdoctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Proven expertise in designing and executing complex synthetic strategies.
• Hands-on experience with modern synthetic techniques, reagents, and instrumentation.
• Proficiency in spectroscopic (NMR, MS) and chromatographic (HPLC, GC) techniques for compound characterization.
• Strong understanding of reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and troubleshoot synthetic challenges.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative laboratory environment in Mahikeng, North West .
• Experience in medicinal chemistry and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, a retirement savings plan, and a bonus structure.
• We are dedicated to fostering professional growth, providing opportunities for further training, attending scientific conferences, and career advancement.
• Employees benefit from a stimulating research environment, access to advanced synthetic and analytical instrumentation, and the opportunity to make a real difference in drug discovery.
• Join our innovative team in Mahikeng and contribute to the development of potentially life‑saving therapies.