Lead Medicinal Chemist

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Lead Medicinal Chemist to drive their drug discovery efforts in Kimberley . This leadership role involves designing, synthesizing, and optimizing novel small molecule drug candidates targeting critical diseases. You will lead a team of talented medicinal chemists, manage complex research projects, and contribute significantly to the strategic direction of the drug discovery pipeline. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis, and a deep understanding of modern drug discovery principles.

• Lead the design and synthesis of novel chemical entities with therapeutic potential.
• Conduct iterative cycles of structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties of drug leads.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to define target profiles and guide compound design.
• Oversee the execution of synthetic routes and purification of target compounds, ensuring high quality and purity.
• Mentor and guide junior medicinal chemists, fostering their technical development and project contributions.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets, ensuring efficient progression of discovery programs in Kimberley .

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with a focus on medicinal chemistry .
• Proven track record of successful design and synthesis of novel small molecules, including contributions to compounds entering clinical development.
• Extensive experience with modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and analytical methods (NMR, MS, HPLC).
• Strong understanding of ADMET properties and strategies for their optimization.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential.

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure commensurate with leadership experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
• Generous stock options and long-term incentive plans.
• Support for professional development, including attending leading scientific conferences.
• State-of-the-art research facilities and a collaborative team environment in Kimberley .