Senior Research Chemist - Organic Synthesis

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities

Collaborative and stimulating work环境

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Research Chemist in Mahikeng, North West, ZA to lead organic synthesis efforts in drug discovery. You will design and execute multi-step routes, purify compounds and characterize them using NMR, MS and IR, and collaborate with medicinal chemists and analysts.

The role requires a PhD in Organic Chemistry with at least 5 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience, strong stereochemistry expertise, and a hands-on approach in a fast-paced laboratory setting.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Proven expertise in designing and executing complex multi-step syntheses.
• Proficiency with modern synthetic methodologies and reaction mechanisms.
• Experience with spectroscopic techniques and chromatographic purification methods.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for target organic molecules.
• Purify and characterize synthesized compounds using NMR, MS, IR, HPLC and chromatography.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yields and purity.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists to synthesize analogues and support SAR studies.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and records.
• Stay current with advancements in organic synthesis and literature.
• Present findings at project meetings and conferences.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and laboratory practices.
• Contribute to overall drug discovery pipeline success.

Skills

Multi-step synthesis design

Spectroscopic analysis (NMR MS IR)

Chromatography purification (HPLC)

Stereochemistry & asymmetric synthesis

SAR collaboration

Lab notebook/documentation

Independent and collaborative work

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or closely related field

Tools

NMR

MS

IR

HPLC

Column chromatography

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic pharmaceutical research company, is seeking a Senior Research Chemist with expertise in organic synthesis to join their innovative team in Mahikeng, North West, ZA. This role is integral to the discovery and development of novel pharmaceutical compounds. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and executing complex synthetic routes, purifying and characterizing new molecules, and contributing to drug discovery programs. This is a laboratory-based position requiring hands-on experience and a strong understanding of modern synthetic organic chemistry. You will collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and analytical chemists to advance research projects. The company is committed to fostering a collaborative and scientifically rigorous environment, providing opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. This is an excellent opportunity for a talented chemist to contribute to impactful research in a supportive and stimulating setting. The team works on cutting-edge projects with a focus on bringing new therapies to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for target organic molecules.
• Purify and characterize synthesized compounds using techniques such as chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR, MS, IR).
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yields, purity, and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists to synthesize analogues and support structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks and records.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in organic synthesis and relevant literature.
• Present research findings at internal project meetings and potentially external conferences.
• Ensure adherence to all laboratory safety protocols and procedures.
• Contribute to the overall success of the drug discovery pipeline.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Proven expertise in designing and executing complex multi-step organic syntheses.
• Proficiency with modern synthetic methodologies and reaction mechanisms.
• Experience with spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, IR) and chromatographic purification methods (HPLC, column chromatography).
• Strong understanding of stereochemistry and asymmetric synthesis.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with cheminformatics tools is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Annual performance-based bonus.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
• A collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Career growth opportunities within a growing pharmaceutical company.