Senior Research Chemist - Organic Synthesis

Placements24; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Professional growth opportunities

Access to cutting-edge lab equipment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Research Chemist specializing in Organic Synthesis to join its Centurion R&D facility. You will design and execute synthetic routes for complex molecules, intermediates, and APIs, driving innovation in drug discovery.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry with 5–7 years of hands-on experience, strong problem-solving skills, and a collaborative mindset to work across analytical and process chemistry teams.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• 5-7 years of hands-on experience in synthetic organic chemistry, preferably in a research or drug discovery setting.
• Proven expertise in a wide range of organic reactions and synthetic methodologies.
• Proficiency with modern spectroscopic and chromatographic analytical techniques.
• Strong understanding of reaction mechanisms and kinetics.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and efficiency.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC, etc.).
• Troubleshoot challenging synthetic problems and develop creative solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical and process chemistry teams to ensure smooth scale-up.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports.

Skills

Synthetic chemistry

Multi-step synthesis

Analytical techniques

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented Senior Research Chemist specializing in Organic Synthesis to join their advanced chemical research and development facility in Centurion . This role is crucial for designing and executing synthetic routes for novel compounds, intermediates, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). You will work in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment, collaborating with a team of chemists and scientists to drive innovation in chemical discovery. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, a passion for problem-solving, and a commitment to producing high-quality research.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex organic molecules.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and efficiency.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC, etc.).
• Troubleshoot challenging synthetic problems and develop creative solutions.
• Collaborate with analytical and process chemistry teams to ensure smooth scale-up.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• 5-7 years of hands-on experience in synthetic organic chemistry, preferably in a research or drug discovery setting.
• Proven expertise in a wide range of organic reactions and synthetic methodologies.
• Proficiency with modern spectroscopic and chromatographic analytical techniques .
• Strong understanding of reaction mechanisms and kinetics.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Benefits

• A competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and continuing education.
• Access to cutting-edge laboratory equipment and resources in Centurion .
• A dynamic and collaborative research culture focused on scientific advancement.