Senior Organic Chemist - Synthesis and Process Development

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Organic Chemist to lead the design and execution of complex multi-step syntheses at our East London laboratory. You will optimize routes for scalability and efficiency, collaborating with medicinal chemists, analytical chemists, and process development teams to advance drug discovery programs.

The role requires a PhD in Organic Chemistry and a minimum of five years of relevant industrial experience, with strong problem-solving skills and meticulous laboratory

Qualifications

• PhD required in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years post-PhD experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Proven ability to design and execute complex multi-step syntheses.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform complex multi-step organic syntheses of target molecules.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for improved yield, purity, and scalability.
• Characterize compounds using spectroscopic and analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC).
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and propose solutions.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and process development teams to enable scale-up.

Skills

Synthesis design

Spectroscopic analysis

Scale-up knowledge

Problem solving

Documentation and record-keeping

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic pharmaceutical research and development firm, is seeking a highly motivated Senior Organic Chemist to join their synthesis team. This essential on-site role is based at our cutting-edge laboratory facility in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA . You will be responsible for the design and execution of complex multi-step syntheses of novel organic molecules, as well as the optimization of synthetic routes for scalability and efficiency. The position requires a deep understanding of modern synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and purification techniques. You will work collaboratively with medicinal chemists, analytical chemists, and process development scientists to advance drug discovery programs. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of new therapeutics in a fast-paced, innovative research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and perform complex multi-step organic syntheses of target molecules.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for improved yield, purity, and scalability.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using various spectroscopic and analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC, etc.).
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and identify appropriate solutions.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists to provide key intermediates and novel compounds.
• Work with process development teams to ensure smooth technology transfer for scale-up.
• Maintain meticulous records of experimental procedures and results in laboratory notebooks.
• Ensure adherence to all laboratory safety procedures and chemical handling protocols.
• Mentor junior chemists and contribute to the scientific discussions within the team.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or relevant industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Proven track record in designing and executing challenging organic syntheses.
• Extensive knowledge of reaction mechanisms, named reactions, and modern synthetic methodologies.
• Proficiency in modern spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques for compound characterization and purification.
• Experience with process development and scale-up of synthetic routes is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a laboratory setting and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA .

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement contributions.
• Professional development opportunities, such as conference attendance and specialized training, are encouraged.
• Employees benefit from access to state-of-the-art synthetic chemistry laboratories and analytical instrumentation.
• This role offers a rewarding career path contributing to pharmaceutical innovation in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA .