Senior Pharmaceutical Research Chemist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Healthcare cover

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng, is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Research Chemist to join our cutting-edge R&D team. You will drive synthesis, purification, and characterization of novel drug-like molecules, applying advanced analytical techniques.

The role emphasizes design of synthetic routes, SAR-driven optimization, and collaboration with biologists to advance drug discovery projects. A PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with 4+ years of related experience is required; strong

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years post-doctoral or industry experience in synthetic chemistry.
• Hands-on experience in reaction design, execution, and purification.
• Proficiency with spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC).
• Strong understanding of SAR and medicinal chemistry principles.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel small molecules.
• Synthesize, purify, and characterize compounds using modern organic techniques.
• Utilize analytical methods (NMR, MS, HPLC, IR) to confirm identity and purity.
• Interpret data and troubleshoot synthetic challenges.
• Contribute to hit-to-lead and lead optimization programs.
• Collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists to advance projects.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and reports.
• Stay current with literature in organic and medicinal chemistry.
• Assist in evaluating new synthetic methodologies and technologies.
• Contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.

Skills

Post-doctoral/industry experience

Organic synthesis

Medicinal chemistry

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

SAR knowledge

Analytical thinking

Parallel synthesis experience

Cheminformatics knowledge

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

IR

Job description

About the Role

A leading pharmaceutical innovator is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Research Chemist to join their cutting-edge research and development team in Randburg, Gauteng . This role is critical for the synthesis and characterization of novel chemical entities with potential therapeutic applications. You will be responsible for designing and executing complex synthetic routes, purifying compounds, and employing a range of analytical techniques to confirm structure and purity. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, with a passion for drug discovery. We are looking for a highly motivated scientist who can contribute to the advancement of our drug discovery pipeline and work collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment. This exciting opportunity is located in Randburg, Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel small molecules.
• Synthesize, purify, and characterize compounds using modern organic chemistry techniques.
• Utilise a variety of analytical methods (NMR, MS, HPLC, IR) to confirm compound identity, purity, and structure.
• Interpret analytical data and troubleshoot synthetic challenges.
• Contribute to hit-to-lead and lead optimisation programmes.
• Collaborate with biologists and pharmacologists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks and reports.
• Stay current with the latest literature and advancement in organic and medicinal chemistry.
• Assist in the evaluation of new synthetic methodologies and technologies.
• Contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in synthetic chemistry, preferably in drug discovery.
• Extensive hands-on experience in organic synthesis, including reaction design, execution, and purification techniques.
• Proficiency in spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC).
• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry principles and structure-activity relationships (SAR).
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and a proactive approach to research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience with parallel synthesis and high‑throughput experimentation is desirable.
• Knowledge of cheminformatics tools is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and an attractive bonus structure. Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, are provided. A generous retirement savings plan is in place. Opportunities for professional development, including attending scientific conferences and workshops, are actively supported. This role, based in Randburg, Gauteng , offers a chance to work on groundbreaking research. We provide a stimulating work environment and ample paid time off.