SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST: ANALYTICAL CHEMIST

(Payclass 9 – 25-month contract)

H3D Drug Discovery and Development Centre

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

The Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) at the University of Cape Town, South Africa is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Scientist. The main purpose of this position is to be part of an interdisciplinary translational research team discovering and developing innovative, lifesaving medicines. Specifically, the incumbent will work with the H3D medicinal and flow chemists in the chemistry laboratory by doing sample preparation, method development, purification and analysis by means of analytical instrumentation, including LCMS and preparative chromatography. Furthermore, the incumbent will ensure that instrumentation in the chemistry laboratories are in good working condition and will perform routine maintenance or alert supervisor about issues.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:

• BTech Analytical Chemistry / Advanced Diploma in analytical chemistry (NQF7) or a related field
• At least 2 years’ relevant lab experience actively working with HPLC/LCMS and troubleshooting analytical and technical problems and method development (this may include internships, apprenticeships etc.)

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Scientific support; Independent optimisation of separation procedures assays including analysis of problematic samples by LCMS & HPLC, and method development in support of the scientific projects; Implementation/application/validation of novel separation procedures; purification of samples by preparative HPLC and providing technical and analytical support to chemists.
• Technical support; Trouble-shoot technical problems and routine processes; overseeing operation of technical equipment; Maintenance of analytical instrumentation such as fixing leaks and other general issues; Break vacuum and clean source when contaminated; keeping the analytical instrumentation fully operational, including preparation of mobile phases, monitoring waste levels, changing columns, shutting down/starting up the instruments as required etc.
• Organisational support; Management of lab space, Writing Standard Operating Procedures for the use of laboratory instrumentation, stock-take, and obtaining quotations for spare parts required for instrument maintenance, updating maintenance logs, updating asset registry.
• Training and teaching; providing instrument training to staff and students

To apply, please visit the UCT Jobs Site (www.jobs.uct.ac.za) to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Motivation/Cover letter that speaks to the specific requirements of the position.
• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency assessments. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R 531 313,00 and R 625 071,00

Any inquiries for this position are to be addressed to Ms Natasha Khan at natasha.khan@uct.ac.za or 021 650 3469. Please do not send or submit job application/CV via this e-mail.

Closing Date: 19th April  2026                              Website:  www.hr.uct.ac.za

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.

When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks.

For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email popia@uct.ac.za.

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.