Senior Production Chemist - Hybrid Role

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Production Chemist for a hybrid role at our client's facility in Klerksdorp, North West. The role leads advanced research in synthetic chemistry, catalyst development, and material science, with a focus on translating findings into practical product improvements.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in experimental design, mentoring junior chemists, and managing research projects, while contributing to IP portfolios and cross-functional collaboration with

Qualifications

• Strong background in synthetic organic chemistry and catalysis.
• Experience mentoring chemists and leading research projects.
• Ability to design multi-step syntheses and optimize processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the discovery and development of novel synthetic methodologies and processes.
• Design and execute complex multi-step organic syntheses and catalyst screening.
• Characterize compounds using advanced analytical techniques (NMR, Mass Spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis).
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and develop robust solutions.
• Mentor junior chemists and manage research projects.
• Prepare technical reports, patent applications, and publications.

Skills

Synthetic chemistry

Catalyst development

Material science

Experimental design

Mentoring

Project management

Technical reporting

Tools

NMR

Mass Spectrometry

IR

UV-Vis

Job description

Senior Production Chemist Hybrid Role

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Research Chemist to lead advanced research initiatives at their facility in **Klerksdorp, North West**. This senior position is crucial for driving innovation in synthetic chemistry, catalyst development, and material science. The ideal candidate will possess a deep theoretical understanding of chemical principles, coupled with extensive practical experience in experimental design and execution. You will be responsible for guiding complex research projects, mentoring junior chemists, and contributing significantly to the company's intellectual property portfolio. The **Klerksdorp** location offers a dynamic environment for groundbreaking chemical research and development. This role demands a dedicated presence at the **Klerksdorp** site to foster close collaboration with laboratory teams and ensure the successful translation of research findings into tangible product improvements and new chemical entities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the discovery and development of novel synthetic methodologies and chemical processes.
• Design and execute complex multi‑step organic syntheses and catalyst screening experiments.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced analytical techniques (e.g., NMR, Mass Spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis).
• Troubleshoot challenging synthetic problems and develop robust solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior chemists, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Manage research projects, including scope definition, resource planning, and timeline management.
• Author comprehensive technical reports, patent applications, and scientific publications.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including process development, analytical chemistry, and product management.
• Stay current with the latest scientific literature and emerging trends in synthetic and catalysis chemistry.