Senior Synthetic Chemist

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Lab access

Professional development

Hybrid work

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a leading pharmaceutical research company in Pretoria, Gauteng, to hire a Senior Synthetic Chemist. You will design and execute multi-step syntheses, optimize reactions, and purify compounds using NMR, MS, and HPLC. Collaboration with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists is essential.

You will contribute to patent filings and scientific publications while maintaining rigorous lab notebooks in a hybrid work setting with in-person lab work as needed.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic/Synthetic Chemistry.
• 5+ years post-PhD experience in synthetic organic chemistry, preferably drug discovery.
• Expertise in modern synthetic methodologies including asymmetric synthesis, organometallic chemistry and catalysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex multi-step syntheses for novel drug candidates.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity and scalability.
• Purify and characterize compounds using NMR, MS, HPLC and GC.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists to design analogues for SAR studies.
• Troubleshoot challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and research records.

Skills

Asymmetric synthesis

Organometallic chemistry

Catalysis

Spectroscopic analysis

HPLC/GC analysis

Literature search & route planning

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

PhD in Organic/Synthetic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

GC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical research company based in Pretoria , Gauteng, is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Synthetic Chemist to drive critical drug discovery and development programs. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the synthesis of novel small molecules with therapeutic potential. You will work within a multidisciplinary team of chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists, playing a key role in medicinal chemistry efforts. The position involves designing and executing complex multi-step syntheses, optimizing reaction conditions, and purifying target compounds. We are seeking a creative and meticulous chemist with a strong understanding of modern synthetic methodologies and a passion for bringing innovative medicines from the lab to patients. This position is based in a dynamic research hub in South Africa , offering access to advanced facilities and a collaborative scientific environment. The hybrid nature of this role allows for a flexible work-life balance while ensuring critical in-person laboratory work.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex multi-step synthetic routes for novel drug candidates.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and scalability of synthetic processes.
• Purify and characterize synthesized compounds using techniques such as NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and HPLC.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists to design and synthesize analogues for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks and research records.
• Contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in synthetic organic chemistry and related fields.
• Work effectively in a team environment, contributing to project goals and timelines.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and laboratory best practices.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Synthetic Chemistry.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry, preferably in a drug discovery setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic methodologies, including asymmetric synthesis, organometallic chemistry, and catalysis.
• Strong proficiency in spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS) and chromatographic methods (HPLC, GC) for compound characterization.
• Experience with literature searching and synthetic route planning tools.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must be willing to work on a hybrid schedule in Pretoria , South Africa .
• Experience in process chemistry or scale-up is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowance.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Access to state-of-the-art synthetic chemistry laboratories.
• Collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Performance bonuses and recognition programs.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Employee assistance program.