Senior Research Chemist - Process Development (Hybrid)

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton is seeking a Senior Research Chemist to join the Process Development team. This hybrid role blends hands-on laboratory work with remote data analysis, strategic planning, and reporting to drive scalable synthetic routes for new chemical entities.

You will lead route scouting, reaction optimization, impurity profiling, and ensure safety/environmental compliance while collaborating with engineering and manufacturing for smooth tech transfer from lab to production.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in chemistry with strong experimental and analytical skills.
• Experience in process chemistry and scale-up is preferred.
• Experience in route scouting and impurity profiling is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct route scouting and reaction optimization to improve yields and impurity profiles.
• Develop scalable synthetic routes for new chemical entities.
• Ensure process safety and environmental compliance during development.
• Coordinate with engineering and manufacturing for technology transfer from lab to production scale.

Skills

Organic chemistry expertise

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

NMR

GC-MS

HPLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and innovative chemical manufacturing company in Sandton , is looking for a highly skilled Senior Research Chemist to join their Process Development team. This hybrid role provides a compelling opportunity to blend hands‑on laboratory work with remote data analysis, strategic planning, and reporting. You will be responsible for optimizing existing chemical processes and developing novel, scalable synthetic routes for new chemical entities. Key responsibilities include conducting route scouting, reaction optimization, impurity profiling, and ensuring process safety and environmental compliance. Extensive experience with various analytical and spectroscopic techniques is essential for characterizing intermediates and final products. You will collaborate closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure smooth technology transfer from the lab to production scale. The successful candidate will possess a strong foundation in organic chemistry, excellent problem-solving abilities, and a proven track record in process chemistry. We seek an individual who is passionate about bringing chemical innovations to life efficiently and sustainably. This role offers significant career advancement opportunities within a forward-thinking organization. The hybrid structure supports flexibility while maintaining essential on-site engagement.