Senior Organic Chemist

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Organic Chemist to join our client’s drug discovery team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. You will design and optimize multi-step syntheses, develop novel compounds for SAR studies, and work closely with interdisciplinary scientists to advance medicines.

The role requires a PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry, 5+ years of relevant experience, and proficiency with NMR/LC-MS/HPLC/IR, with a focus on scalable, high-purity syntheses for therapeutic candidates.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry required.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant postdoctoral or industrial experience.
• Experience in modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques.
• Proven synthesis of diverse heterocyclic and/or chiral molecules.
• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry principles and drug discovery processes.
• Excellent problem-solving, creativity and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and collaboration in team settings.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, including potential drug candidates.
• Synthesize novel compounds for biological screening and SAR studies.
• Optimize synthetic methodologies to improve yield, purity, and scalability.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, IR.
• Troubleshoot challenging synthetic problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory records and contribute to research reports.

Skills

Synthetic organic chemistry

Medicinal chemistry

SAR studies

Analytical techniques

Problem solving

Communication

Education

PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

NMR

LC-MS

HPLC

IR

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned pharmaceutical research company, is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Organic Chemist to join their innovative drug discovery team based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. This pivotal role involves designing, synthesizing, and optimizing novel organic molecules with potential therapeutic applications. You will be at the forefront of medicinal chemistry efforts, contributing directly to the development of new medicines. The ideal candidate possesses a strong command of synthetic organic chemistry, a deep understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, and a passion for tackling complex synthetic challenges. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on healthcare innovation within a leading research hub in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. We are looking for a proactive scientist with a creative approach to problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules, including potential drug candidates.
• Synthesize novel compounds for biological screening and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
• Optimize synthetic methodologies to improve yield, purity, and scalability.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using various analytical techniques (e.g., NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, IR).
• Troubleshoot challenging synthetic problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory records and contribute to the preparation of research reports and publications.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry.
• Manage laboratory resources and ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory guidelines in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
• Mentor junior chemists and provide technical guidance on synthetic strategies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant postdoctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and methodologies.
• Proven experience in the synthesis of diverse heterocyclic and/or chiral molecules.
• Proficiency with analytical instrumentation for compound characterization.
• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry principles and drug discovery processes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for team collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in a pharmaceutical or biotech R&D environment is highly valued for this role in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications, and excellent bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, is provided.
• A generous retirement savings plan with employer matching is available.
• We are committed to fostering professional development through continued education, conference attendance, and internal training opportunities.
• This role includes significant paid time off and a commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• The opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking pharmaceutical research in a stimulating environment in Stellenbosch, Western Cape is a primary benefit.
• We promote a collaborative and intellectually driven workplace culture.