Senior Pharmaceutical Chemist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Competitive salary and bonuses

Professional growth opportunities

Flexible working hours

Access to virtual research tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Chemist to join a fully remote team. You will design, synthesize, and characterize novel small molecule drug candidates, working across SAR studies and collaborating with biology, pharmacology, and computational chemists.

The role requires a PhD and 5+ years in synthetic organic/medicinal chemistry, with strong analytical skills and a track record in remote, collaborative research. Competitive compensation and flexible hours are offered.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years post-doctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry with medicinal chemistry focus.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute complex multi-step syntheses.
• Proficiency in modern synthetic techniques and purification methods (e.g., chromatography).
• Extensive experience with spectroscopic and chromatographic analytical techniques for compound characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute synthetic routes for novel small molecule drug candidates.
• Perform complex organic synthesis and purification to high purity and yield.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using NMR, MS, HPLC, IR.
• Conduct SAR studies to optimize lead compounds for potency and PK.
• Collaborate with computational chemists to guide synthesis based on modeling.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Medicinal chemistry

Analytical techniques

Communication skills

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

5+ years post-doctoral or industrial experience

Tools

NMR

Mass Spectrometry

HPLC

IR spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical research and development organization, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Pharmaceutical Chemist to join their innovative, fully remote team. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics from your home laboratory or office space. You will be instrumental in designing, synthesizing, and characterizing potential drug candidates, playing a key role in the early stages of drug discovery. This role demands extensive expertise in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and analytical techniques, coupled with a rigorous scientific approach. You will collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and other chemists within a virtual environment, contributing to the advancement of our client's pipeline. The ideal candidate is a self-driven, innovative thinker with a proven track record in synthetic chemistry and a passion for medicinal chemistry. Your contributions will be crucial in identifying and advancing promising compounds towards clinical development, ultimately impacting patient health.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute synthetic routes for novel small molecule drug candidates.
• Perform complex organic synthesis and purification techniques, ensuring high purity and yield.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using a variety of analytical techniques, including NMR, Mass Spectrometry, HPLC, and IR spectroscopy.
• Conduct structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and optimize lead compounds for potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Collaborate with computational chemists to guide synthetic efforts based on molecular modeling and design.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in synthetic methodologies and medicinal chemistry literature.
• Maintain meticulous records of experimental procedures, results, and analyses.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and potentially at external scientific conferences.
• Contribute to the preparation of patent applications and scientific publications.
• Work effectively in a remote setting, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration with team members.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry, with a strong focus on medicinal chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and executing complex multi-step syntheses.
• Proficiency in modern synthetic techniques and purification methods (e.g., chromatography).
• Extensive experience with spectroscopic and chromatographic analytical techniques for compound characterization.
• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry principles and drug discovery processes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and creativity in synthetic route design.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document research clearly and concisely.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage research projects effectively in a remote environment.
• Experience with DoE (Design of Experiments) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering significant lifestyle flexibility.
• Opportunities for professional growth, skill development, and participation in cutting-edge research.
• Direct contribution to the development of potentially life-saving medicines.
• Flexible working hours tailored to optimize productivity.
• Access to advanced virtual research tools and scientific resources.
• A dynamic and collaborative global research team.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.