Senior Process Chemist

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual bonus potential

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Chemist for our Soweto site in Gauteng. You will optimize and scale-up organic synthesis processes, improve yields and purity, and work with engineers to move lab procedures to pilot and production.

The ideal candidate has MSc or PhD in Organic Chemistry, 5+ years in process chemistry, and strong analytical skills (HPLC, GC, NMR). Experience with DoE and lab automation is a plus.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Organic Chemistry or closely related field with emphasis on synthetic and process chemistry.
• Minimum 5 years hands-on experience in process chemistry, preferably in fine chemicals or pharma.
• Proven track record in optimizing and scaling up complex organic synthesis reactions.

Responsibilities

• Optimize existing chemical synthesis processes to improve yield, purity, cycle time, and costs.
• Develop new synthetic routes from lab scale to pilot plant.
• Troubleshoot production issues, identify root causes, and implement solutions.
• Conduct process hazard analyses and implement safety measures for new and modified processes.
• Perform in-process analysis and quality control testing to ensure product specs are met.
• Develop and validate analytical methods (HPLC, GC, spectroscopy).
• Collaborate with chemical engineers on scale-up, equipment selection, and process design.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and process documentation.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Process chemistry

Scale-up

Analytical interpretation

Team collaboration

Education

MSc or PhD in Organic Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

NMR

MS

IR

DoE

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a respected manufacturer of fine chemicals and intermediates, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Process Chemist to join their operations in Soweto, Gauteng . This role is integral to optimizing and troubleshooting chemical synthesis processes, ensuring high yields, purity, and cost-effectiveness. You will work closely with chemical engineers and production teams to scale up laboratory procedures to pilot and full production. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in organic synthesis, analytical chemistry, and process optimization within a manufacturing environment. This is a key position for contributing to the efficiency and innovation of our chemical production in the Soweto area.

Key Responsibilities

• Optimize existing chemical synthesis processes to improve yield, purity, cycle time, and reduce costs.
• Develop new synthetic routes and processes for target molecules, from laboratory scale to pilot plant.
• Troubleshoot production issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Conduct process hazard analyses and implement safety measures for new and modified processes.
• Perform in-process analysis and quality control testing to ensure product specifications are met.
• Develop and validate analytical methods (e.g., HPLC, GC, spectroscopy).
• Collaborate with chemical engineers on process scale-up, equipment selection, and process design.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and process documentation.
• Ensure all laboratory and plant activities comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Stay current with advancements in synthetic organic chemistry and process chemistry.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field with a strong emphasis on synthetic and process chemistry.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in process chemistry, preferably within the fine chemical or pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record in optimizing and scaling up complex organic synthesis reactions.
• Extensive knowledge of reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, NMR, MS, IR) and data interpretation.
• Experience with process safety evaluation and implementation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience with laboratory automation and statistical design of experiments (DoE) is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, comprehensive medical aid, a retirement fund, and potential for annual bonuses. The position is based at our facility in Soweto, Gauteng , offering a stimulating work environment. We are committed to providing opportunities for professional development, further education, and career advancement within our growing organization.