Senior Process Chemist (Pharmaceutical Development)

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance bonuses

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Chemist for a pharmaceutical client in Upington, Northern Cape. The role focuses on optimizing and scaling API and intermediate synthesis in GMP settings, mentoring junior staff, and transferring processes to manufacturing sites.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. or MSc in Organic/Process Chemistry with 6+ years in pharma process chemistry, strong scale-up experience, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process chemistry, with a focus on pharmaceutical API development.
• Extensive knowledge of organic synthesis principles and reaction mechanisms.
• Proven experience in process scale-up from laboratory to pilot plant and/or commercial scale.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate scalable chemical synthesis processes for APIs and intermediates.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to investigate reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and identify critical process parameters.
• Perform process hazard assessments and implement appropriate safety measures for scale-up.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process development and scale-up activities.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods for in-process control and final product release.
• Prepare comprehensive process development reports and technology transfer documentation.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior process chemists and technicians.
• Ensure all activities comply with GMP regulations and company quality standards.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve process efficiency and sustainability.
• Support the transfer of developed processes to manufacturing sites.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Process chemistry

Scale-up

GMP compliance

Analytical methods

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

M.S. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

Process Analytical Technology (PAT)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapeutic solutions, is looking for a highly experienced Senior Process Chemist to join their Process Development department in Upington, Northern Cape . This role is essential for optimizing and scaling up chemical synthesis routes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates, ensuring efficient, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing processes. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in organic synthesis, process chemistry, and scale-up challenges within a GMP environment. You will lead key development projects, mentor junior chemists, and contribute to the successful transition of new drug candidates from laboratory to commercial production. This is a critical role within our operations in the Northern Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate scalable chemical synthesis processes for APIs and intermediates.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to investigate reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and identify critical process parameters.
• Perform process hazard assessments and implement appropriate safety measures for scale-up.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process development and scale-up activities.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods for in-process control and final product release.
• Prepare comprehensive process development reports and technology transfer documentation.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior process chemists and technicians.
• Ensure all activities comply with GMP regulations and company quality standards.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve process efficiency and sustainability.
• Support the transfer of developed processes to manufacturing sites.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process chemistry, with a focus on pharmaceutical API development.
• Extensive knowledge of organic synthesis principles and reaction mechanisms.
• Proven experience in process scale-up from laboratory to pilot plant and/or commercial scale.
• Familiarity with GMP guidelines and regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with process analytical technology (PAT) is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including medical aid, retirement fund, performance bonuses, and significant opportunities for professional growth and development. Employees benefit from working on exciting drug development projects, access to modern laboratory facilities, and a supportive team environment within the Upington, Northern Cape area.