Senior Synthetic Organic Chemist - API Development

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Performance bonus

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, seeks a Senior Synthetic Organic Chemist to lead API development. You will design, optimize, and scale up complex synthetic routes for drug candidates, working hybridly between lab research in Vereeniging and remote analytical planning.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Organic/Synthetic Chemistry with 5+ years in pharmaceutical process development, including asymmetric synthesis and catalysis, and will mentor junior staff while ensuring cGMP compliance and

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic or Synthetic Chemistry or related field.
• Minimum 5 years post-PhD experience in pharmaceutical process development.
• Experience designing and executing complex multi-step syntheses.
• Strong knowledge of modern synthetic methodologies including asymmetric synthesis.
• Hands-on with analytical techniques NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS.
• Familiarity with process safety evaluation and scale-up considerations.
• Experience in cGMP environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step routes for novel pharmaceutical compounds.
• Optimize reaction conditions for yield, purity, and scalability.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterization.
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and explore alternative pathways.
• Collaborate with process engineers for tech transfer to pilot scale.
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks and prepare technical reports.
• Mentor junior chemists and provide technical guidance.

Skills

Multi-step synthesis

Catalysis

Asymmetric synthesis

Organometallic chemistry

Analytical methods

Process safety

Scale-up

cGMP

Education

Ph.D. in Organic/Synthetic Chemistry

Tools

NMR

HPLC

GC-MS

LC-MS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical research and manufacturing company based in Vereeniging, Gauteng , is seeking a highly skilled Senior Synthetic Organic Chemist to join their Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Development team. This role is crucial for the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel synthetic routes for drug candidates. You will leverage your expertise in organic synthesis to develop robust, scalable, and cost-effective processes for the production of complex molecules. This position operates on a hybrid model, allowing for a dynamic work environment that balances essential laboratory-based research at our Vereeniging facility with focused analytical and planning tasks that can be performed remotely. The ideal candidate possesses a deep theoretical and practical understanding of modern synthetic organic chemistry, including asymmetric synthesis, catalysis, and process chemistry. You will work collaboratively with a team of chemists, analysts, and engineers to advance drug development programs from early-stage research through to process validation. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in the pharmaceutical industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-step synthetic routes for novel pharmaceutical compounds and intermediates.
• Optimize reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and scalability of synthetic processes.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for characterizing synthetic compounds (e.g., NMR, HPLC, MS).
• Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and identify alternative reaction pathways.
• Conduct literature surveys to identify and evaluate new synthetic methodologies.
• Collaborate with process engineers to ensure smooth technology transfer from laboratory to pilot plant scale.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports, research summaries, and documentation for regulatory submissions.
• Mentor junior chemists and provide technical guidance on synthetic projects.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and laboratory best practices in Vereeniging .
• Contribute to the evaluation and selection of new synthetic chemistry equipment and technologies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry, with a focus on pharmaceutical process development.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and executing complex multi-step syntheses.
• Strong knowledge of modern synthetic methodologies, including organometallic chemistry, catalysis, and asymmetric synthesis.
• Hands-on experience with various analytical techniques for compound characterization (NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS).
• Familiarity with process safety evaluation and scale-up considerations.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a systematic approach to experimental design.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document research clearly.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid setting, managing time and priorities efficiently.
• Experience with cGMP environments is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and performance bonuses.
• The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility, and opportunities for professional development and career advancement are abundant.
• Employees have access to well-equipped laboratories and cutting-edge instrumentation in Vereeniging .
• Our client fosters a collaborative and innovative research culture, supporting employees in their pursuit of scientific excellence and career growth.
• Relocation assistance may be available for suitable candidates.