Senior Research Chemist - Organic Synthesis

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical and retirement benefits

Hybrid work environment

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Research Chemist in Polokwane, Limpopo, to lead complex organic syntheses and advance scalable routes for diverse applications, including pharmaceuticals and materials.

The role requires a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and 5+ years in synthetic chemistry, with hands-on lab leadership, mentoring, and strong analytical skills. This hybrid position combines lab work with cross-functional collaboration and research output.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years post-doctoral or industry experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and performing multi-step organic syntheses.
• Proficiency with a wide range of modern synthetic techniques and reagents.
• Strong experience with analytical techniques for compound characterization.
• Proven ability to lead research projects and mentor junior scientists.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid laboratory environment in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex organic synthesis pathways to create target molecules.
• Optimize reaction conditions and develop scalable synthetic routes for industrial application.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced analytical techniques (e.g., NMR, MS, HPLC, GC).
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and identify solutions to improve reaction yields and purity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product development and process improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and guide junior research chemists and laboratory technicians.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in organic chemistry and synthetic methodologies.
• Contribute to scientific publications, patent applications, and technical reports.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Mentoring

Project leadership

Analytical techniques

Critical thinking

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

GC

Job description

About the Role Our client, a dynamic chemical research and development firm, is seeking a talented Senior Research Chemist with expertise in organic synthesis to join their team in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA . This role is crucial for developing novel synthetic routes and optimizing chemical processes for a variety of applications, including pharmaceuticals and advanced materials. The ideal candidate will possess a strong theoretical foundation in organic chemistry, extensive hands-on laboratory experience, and a proven ability to lead research projects. You will be responsible for designing and executing complex syntheses, mentoring junior chemists, and contributing to our client's intellectual property and publication portfolio. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative chemical research within a stimulating environment in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex organic synthesis pathways to create target molecules.
• Optimize reaction conditions and develop scalable synthetic routes for industrial application.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using advanced analytical techniques (e.g., NMR, MS, HPLC, GC).
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and identify solutions to improve reaction yields and purity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product development and process improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and guide junior research chemists and laboratory technicians.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in organic chemistry and synthetic methodologies.
• Contribute to scientific publications, patent applications, and technical reports.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and performing multi-step organic syntheses.
• Proficiency with a wide range of modern synthetic techniques and reagents.
• Strong experience with analytical techniques for compound characterization.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to lead research projects and mentor junior scientists.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present research findings effectively.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid laboratory environment in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA .

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Employees have access to well-equipped laboratories and state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation.
• We encourage participation in scientific conferences and provide support for continuing education.
• This hybrid role offers a balance between lab-based work and remote engagement, supporting team collaboration within Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA .
• Join a forward-thinking company committed to scientific excellence and innovation in chemistry.