Senior Structural Chemist

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance-based bonuses

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Structural Chemist to join a leading pharmaceutical research team in Paarl, Western Cape. The role focuses on determining 3D structures of small molecules and biomolecules using X-ray crystallography and NMR, supporting drug design and discovery efforts.

The successful candidate will collaborate with medicinal chemistry, biology, and computational modelers, operate advanced instrumentation, and contribute to developing new structural biology methodologies and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Structural Biology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years postdoc/industrial experience in X-ray crystallography and/or NMR spectroscopy.
• Proven track record solving crystal structures of small molecules and/or proteins.
• Experience with crystallization screening and optimization.
• Proficiency with crystallographic software packages (Phenix, CCP4, SHELX).
• Experience with NMR data acquisition/analysis (TOPSPIN, NMRPipe).
• Strong understanding of molecular biology and medicinal chemistry.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Perform X-ray crystallography studies to determine 3D structures of small molecules and protein-ligand complexes.
• Utilize NMR spectroscopy for structural characterization and conformational analysis.
• Collaborate with computational chemists to interpret data and guide drug design.
• Optimize crystallization conditions for challenging targets.
• Operate and maintain diffraction instrumentation and software.
• Interpret crystallographic and spectroscopic data to derive structure.

Skills

X-ray crystallography

NMR spectroscopy

Structural biology

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Structural Biology

Tools

Phenix

CCP4

SHELX

TOPSPIN

NMRPipe

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned pharmaceutical research company, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Structural Chemist to join their advanced drug discovery team in Paarl, Western Cape, ZA. This critical role involves determining and analyzing the three-dimensional structures of small molecules and biomolecules, providing crucial insights for drug design and development. You will work with state-of-the‑art instrumentation and collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and computational modelers. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and other structural elucidation techniques, coupled with a strong background in chemistry. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of life‑saving medicines in a collaborative and innovative research environment. Your expertise will be central to understanding molecular interactions and optimizing drug candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform X-ray crystallography studies to determine the 3D structures of small molecules and protein-ligand complexes.
• Utilize NMR spectroscopy for structural characterization and conformational analysis.
• Work with computational chemists to interpret structural data and guide drug design efforts.
• Optimize crystallization conditions for challenging protein and small molecule targets.
• Operate and maintain diffraction instrumentation and associated software.
• Analyze and interpret crystallographic and spectroscopic data to derive structural information.
• Prepare detailed reports and present findings to project teams and senior management.
• Collaborate effectively with medicinal chemistry, biology, and DMPK departments.
• Contribute to the development of new structural biology methodologies and workflows.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or a related field with a strong focus on structural elucidation techniques.
• Minimum of 5 years of postdoctoral or industrial experience in X-ray crystallography and/or NMR spectroscopy.
• Proven track record in solving crystal structures of small molecules and/or proteins.
• Extensive experience with crystallization screening and optimization.
• Proficiency in using crystallographic software packages (e.g., Phenix, CCP4, SHELX).
• Experience with NMR data acquisition and analysis (e.g., TOPSPIN, NMRPipe).
• Strong understanding of principles of molecular biology and medicinal chemistry.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for reporting and presentation.
• Experience with cryo-EM or other biophysical techniques is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including medical aid, a provident fund, and performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunities for professional development, including attendance at scientific conferences and workshops, are provided.
• Join a dynamic and supportive team dedicated to scientific excellence and innovation in drug discovery.
• The Paarl, Western Cape, ZA location offers a beautiful environment with excellent amenities.
• Contribute to groundbreaking research that improves patient outcomes.