Senior Organic Chemist - Pharmaceutical Synthesis

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Life assurance

Pension scheme

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, is seeking a Senior Organic Chemist to join our drug discovery and development team. You will design and synthesize novel organic molecules and scale up key intermediates and APIs in a state-of-the-art lab.

The role requires a PhD in Organic Chemistry with at least 5 years of postdoctoral or industrial synthetic experience, expertise in modern synthetic methods, and strong collaboration across chemistry groups.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of postdoctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Expertise in modern synthetic methodologies including asymmetric synthesis, organometallic chemistry, and catalysis.
• Proficiency with spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques for characterization and purification.
• Experience with process development and scale-up of chemical reactions is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of reaction mechanisms and structure-activity relationships.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to synthetic challenges.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to present research findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes to prepare complex organic molecules and pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Optimize reaction conditions and purification methods to improve yields, purity, and efficiency.
• Scale up synthetic processes from milligram to gram and kilogram quantities.
• Utilize a wide range of modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and reagents.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS, IR) and chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC).
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and identify creative solutions.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, process chemists, and analytical chemists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks in accordance with company and regulatory standards.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual property through patent applications.
• Ensure all laboratory activities are conducted safely and in compliance with environmental health and safety regulations.

Skills

asymmetric synthesis

organometallic chemistry

catalysis

spectroscopic techniques

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

IR

HPLC

GC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing life-saving medications, is seeking a Senior Organic Chemist to join their dynamic drug discovery and development team.

This role is based at our advanced research facility in Vereeniging, Gauteng. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design and synthesis of novel organic molecules, optimization of synthetic routes, and scale-up of key intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

We are looking for an individual with exceptional synthetic skills, a deep understanding of reaction mechanisms, and a passion for contributing to therapeutic advancements.

This is an on-site position within a state-of-the-art laboratory setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes to prepare complex organic molecules and pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Optimize reaction conditions and purification methods to improve yields, purity, and efficiency.
• Scale up synthetic processes from milligram to gram and kilogram quantities.
• Utilize a wide range of modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and reagents.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS, IR) and chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC).
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and identify creative solutions.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, process chemists, and analytical chemists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks in accordance with company and regulatory standards.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual property through patent applications.
• Ensure all laboratory activities are conducted safely and in compliance with environmental health and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of postdoctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic methodologies, including asymmetric synthesis, organometallic chemistry, and catalysis.
• Proficiency in spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques for compound characterization and purification.
• Experience with process development and scale-up of chemical reactions is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of reaction mechanisms and structure-activity relationships.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to synthetic challenges.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present research findings clearly.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Commitment to safety and adherence to laboratory protocols.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits package including medical aid, life assurance, and a generous pension scheme. This role provides unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and development within a leading pharmaceutical organization. You will have access to cutting-edge instrumentation and work on impactful drug discovery programs. Located in Vereeniging, Gauteng, you will join a team of dedicated scientists committed to improving patient outcomes. The company offers a supportive and collaborative work culture, emphasizing work-life balance and continuous learning.