Senior Organic Chemist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Provident fund

Professional development workshops

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban is seeking a Senior Organic Chemist to join our pharmaceutical research client’s drug discovery team onsite. You will design, synthesize, and characterize complex molecules with therapeutic potential, driving projects from concept through preclinical stages.

The role requires a PhD in Organic Chemistry with at least 5 years of post-PhD experience in medicinal chemistry, and hands-on expertise in modern synthetic methods, purification, and analytical techniques such as NMR

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years post-doctoral or industry experience in synthetic organic chemistry with a focus on medicinal chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic methodologies including asymmetric synthesis, cross-coupling, and heterocyclic chemistry.
• Proficiency in purification techniques such as column chromatography, crystallization, and preparative HPLC.
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques for compound characterization (NMR, Mass Spectrometry).
• Proven ability to design and execute complex synthetic strategies.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration in a team.
• Experience with managing junior chemists is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel small molecules with potential therapeutic activity.
• Synthesize and purify target compounds using a variety of modern organic chemistry techniques.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS, IR) and chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC).
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yields, purity, and scalability of synthetic processes.
• Conduct structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies in collaboration with medicinal chemists and biologists.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory notebooks and document all experimental procedures and results.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and propose creative solutions.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of drug discovery projects.
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety protocols and regulatory guidelines.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

Synthetic organic chemistry

SAR studies

Collaboration

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

Mass Spectrometry

HPLC

GC

Column chromatography

Crystallization

Preparative HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic pharmaceutical research company based in Durban , is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Organic Chemist to join their innovative drug discovery team. This is an on-site position offering the chance to work at the forefront of medicinal chemistry, contributing directly to the development of novel therapeutics. You will be responsible for designing, synthesizing, and characterizing complex organic molecules with therapeutic potential. This role requires a deep understanding of synthetic organic chemistry principles and a proven ability to drive projects from conception through to preclinical stages. You will work in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of scientists dedicated to improving patient outcomes through innovative drug development.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel small molecules with potential therapeutic activity.
• Synthesize and purify target compounds using a variety of modern organic chemistry techniques.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS, IR) and chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC).
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yields, purity, and scalability of synthetic processes.
• Conduct structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies in collaboration with medicinal chemists and biologists.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory notebooks and document all experimental procedures and results.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and propose creative solutions.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of drug discovery projects.
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety protocols and regulatory guidelines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in synthetic organic chemistry, with a strong focus on medicinal chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic methodologies, including asymmetric synthesis, cross-coupling reactions, and heterocyclic chemistry.
• Proficiency in purification techniques such as column chromatography, crystallization, and preparative HPLC.
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques for compound characterization (NMR, Mass Spectrometry).
• Proven ability to design and execute complex synthetic strategies.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Experience with managing junior chemists is a plus.
• Commitment to working safely and efficiently in a laboratory setting.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive salary package of ZAR per annum, commensurate with your experience and expertise.
• Our client provides a comprehensive benefits program, including excellent medical and dental coverage, a provident fund, and opportunities for professional development through workshops and conference attendance.