Senior Process Chemist - API Development

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Process Chemist to lead API synthesis, optimize routes, and drive scale-up from lab to manufacturing. You will design safe, efficient processes and mentor junior team members in a fast-paced R&D environment.

The role requires a PhD or Master’s in Organic/Process Chemistry with 6+ years of industry experience, strong analytical skills, and GMP exposure to deliver robust, scalable chemistry solutions.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry or related field.
• Minimum 6 years in process chemistry and development in pharma or fine chemicals.
• Hands-on synthetic organic chemistry, reaction optimization, and scale-up experience.
• GMP environment experience and strong problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize synthetic routes for APIs and intermediates with safety and cost in mind.
• Lead scale-up from lab to pilot plant and manufacturing scale.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for in-process controls and release.
• Mentor junior chemists and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and EHS regulations.

Skills

Process chemistry

Scale-up

Leadership

Collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry / Process Chemistry

Master's in Organic Chemistry / Process Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

NMR

MS

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Process Chemist to join their dynamic Research & Development team in Mossel Bay, Western Cape . This role is critical for the development, optimization, and scale-up of synthetic routes for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). You will lead projects focused on designing safe, efficient, and cost-effective chemical processes suitable for manufacturing. The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of organic synthesis, process chemistry principles, and scale-up challenges, contributing significantly to bringing life-changing medicines from the lab to patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimize synthetic routes for APIs and key intermediates, focusing on safety, yield, purity, and economic viability.
• Conduct process development studies, including reaction kinetics, parameter optimization, and impurity profiling.
• Lead the scale-up of chemical processes from laboratory to pilot plant and manufacturing scale.
• Develop and validate analytical methods required for in-process controls and final product release.
• Troubleshoot technical issues encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, analytical chemists, engineers, and manufacturing personnel.
• Author detailed process development reports, technical transfer documents, and safety assessments.
• Ensure all activities comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations.
• Stay abreast of new synthetic methodologies and process technologies.
• Mentor junior process chemists and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process chemistry and development within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Extensive hands-on experience in synthetic organic chemistry, reaction optimization, and mechanistic understanding.
• Proven experience in scaling up chemical processes from bench to pilot or manufacturing scale.
• Strong knowledge of process safety principles and hazard assessment.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, NMR, MS) for reaction monitoring and product characterization.
• Experience working within a GMP environment.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities, with experience in technical documentation.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development. This role is based at our cutting-edge facility in Mossel Bay, Western Cape . We provide a stimulating work environment with access to advanced laboratory equipment and resources. Continuous learning and career advancement are strongly supported through training programs and conference participation.