Chemist (12-mth contract) | ASX Biotech | Great Place To Work Employer
Starpharma is an innovative Australian biotechnology company located in inner Melbourne. With two decades of experience advancing dendrimer technology from the lab to the patient, our mission is to help patients with significant illnesses, such as cancer, achieve improved health outcomes and quality of life through the application of our unique dendrimer technology.
Through our innovative R&D; and strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies, we are developing therapies that have the potential to profoundly improve patient health worldwide.
Joining the team at Starpharma means that you will be part of a team dedicated to developing innovative medical and pharmaceutical products that have the potential to make a real difference to people's lives globally. Working at Starpharma not only offers the reward of contributing better health outcomes but also provides exciting skilled challenges, continuous learning and opportunities to grow your career.
At Starpharma, you will work closely with other talented and committed professionals who share a common focus. We take pride in offering a great culture, professional working setting, attractive salary package including an employee equity program, excellent equipment and facilities and the opportunity to develop your career as part of a small team in the dynamic biotech industry.
Starpharma has achieved Great Place to Work® certification for four consecutive years. We care about our employees' experience and are committed to building and maintaining a high-trust company culture. Great Place to Work®'s insights enable dynamic, ever-evolving businesses like Starpharma to reflect on their results and continue enhancing their workplace culture. Certification recognises our positive workplace and company culture, and our celebration of inclusivity and diversity in our workplace.
The Position
You will work as part of our Discovery research team:
Synthesizing and purifying new chemical entities as potential pharmaceuticals




Maintaining detailed records of work and providing clear interpretation of your own results
Working with analytical chemists to characterize compounds, making full use of available analytical techniques to provide optimum methods for purity determination
Maintaining awareness of and complying with Occupational Health and Safety legislation
Contributing to risk identification, analysis and management.
Note that this is a 12-month contract position.
Candidate Profile
Applications must explicitly address the following key selection criteria via a cover letter:
Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia.
A PhD in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a closely related discipline is required. Relevant postdoctoral or industry experience is highly desirable.
A work style characterized by diligence, attention to detail, initiative, and a strong work ethic.
Personal attributes, including flexibility, adaptability, responsiveness, and the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others.
Strong teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate scientific concepts and results clearly to colleagues from different disciplines.
A demonstrated interest in keeping abreast of advances in scientific literature, patents, and emerging technologies, and applying this knowledge to support innovation, problem solving, and the generation of new ideas.
Robust organizational skills, including the ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, manage multiple priorities, and document experimental work to a high standard.
Hands-on experience in synthetic organic and/or medicinal chemistry, including experimental design, compound purification, and analytical characterisation techniques.




Familiarity with bioconjugation chemistry, biomolecule modification, oligonucleotide chemistry, peptide chemistry, radiochemistry, or related techniques would be advantageous but is not essential.
An interest in applied drug discovery and the translation of scientific ideas into practical outcomes, including support of intellectual property generation and patent activities.
In addition to the specific requirements for this role, STAR values and behaviours we look for in all employees are:
Superior performance
Persevering and going the extra mile when it is needed
Effectively prioritising and working with a sense of urgency
Ensuring quality and accuracy
Teamwork
Collaborating and teaming in an effective, solution-focused way with others to achieve desired outcomes
Using a respectful and transparent communication style which supports and encourages teamwork across the company and facilitates optimal business outcomes
Having a positive energy, and a "can do" and optimistic attitude for oneself and in influencing others
Accountability
Taking ownership of our actions and decisions
Reviewing situations and decisions to harvest the learnings for future benefit (lessons learned)
Being honest and doing what we say we will do
Being willing to remedy unintended consequences of actions or decisions, where appropriate
Re-imagination
Demonstrating curiosity, being open to and taking the initiative to generate new ideas
Identifying problems and generating potential solutions, taking account of costs/benefits and risks/opportunities through a commercial and strategic lens
Showing flexibility and adaptability
Highly respected employer – Great Place to Work® certified
Small, committed team
Professional, collegial environment
Competitive remuneration
Fantastic health and wellbeing program with a wide range of activities for social, physical & mental wellbeing, plus EAP
Support for professional development with access to high quality online learning resources.
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📌 Chemist (12-Mth Contract) | Asx Biotech | Great Place To Work Employer (Melbourne)
🏢 Starpharma
📍 Melbourne