Organic Synthetic Chemist
Position Overview
- 2 x Ongoing Positions | Full Time | $100k- $134k +15.4% super
- Sutherland Shire location I Health & Wellbeing Programs I Generous leave provisions
- Play a key role in producing cutting-edge deuterated molecules that power advanced neutron and NMR research at the National Deuteration Facility.
About the Opportunity
The purpose is to contribute towards the production, purification and characterisation of small organic molecules, and their precursors, labelled with deuterium using isotopic exchange and synthetic chemistry techniques. This enables structural investigations using neutron scattering, NMR and other techniques, by internal and external users of the National Deuteration Facility (NDF). Develop new isotopic exchange and deuteration techniques, using specialised expertise for the production of deuterated molecules and the use of solution NMR or Mass Spectrometry for the characterisation of deuterated and other molecules for the NDF and other ANSTO research groups.
Your Duties and Responsibilities
Key Accountabilities – Band 5
- Provision of highly specialised chemical deuteration expertise to NDF users including undertaking deuteration reactions, chromatographic purification of deuterated molecules and their characterisation using NMR and MS.
- Responsibility for individual approved NDF deuteration proposals from external users as assigned by the Operations Manager - NDF, including liaison with the client.
- Contribution to design and development of protocols for production and purification of deuterated organic molecules using hydrogen exchange at high temperature and pressure (or novel processes) to produce deuterated precursors followed by modified traditional synthesis routes for assigned NDF proposals.
Key Accountabilities – Band 6
- Contribute to the establishment of new protocols for production and purification of deuterated chemicals using repeated hydrogen exchange at high temperature and pressure (or novel processes) to produce deuterated precursors followed by modified traditional synthesis routes.
- Apply specialised expertise to the characterisation of the deuterated products, particularly using NMR or Mass Spectrometry.
- Provision of the chemical deuteration expertise and infrastructure to NDF users including undertaking deuteration reactions, purification of deuterated molecules and their characterisation.
Please click here to view the Position Description.
About Us
ANSTO leverages great science to deliver big outcomes. We partner with scientists and engineers and apply new technologies to provide real-world benefits. Our work improves human health, saves lives, builds our industries and protects the environment. ANSTO is the home of Australia's most significant landmark and national infrastructure for research. Thousands of scientists from industry and academia benefit from gaining access to state-of-the-art instruments every year.
Benefits of Working with Us
ANSTO offers training and development, performance-based salary increases and an extensive range of leave provisions to help employees balance work and personal commitments.
- 18 days personal/carers leave for each year of service
- 3 days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
- Generous parental leave provisions:
- 18 weeks Parental leave for primary caregiver
- 14 weeks Parental leave for secondary caregiver (with incremental increase to a maximum of 18 weeks effective 01/03/2027)
- Annual flu vaccinations
- Cultural, Naidoc and First Nations ceremonial leave
If you want to join a world class organisation that's making a difference in the lives of Australians, apply now!
How to Apply
For further technical information relating to this position please refer to the Position Description or contact Tamim Darwish on (02) 9717 9080. For all other queries please contact Talent Acquisition on +61 (02) 9717 3740.
To be eligible for appointment, applicants will require a security and pre-employment medical assessment.
Application closing date: 10 May 2026 at 11:59pm
All applicants must be Australian citizens.
In order to solve great challenges, we need great minds and great teams. At ANSTO, we understand that diverse teams produce better outcomes and we value the merit that a diverse perspective can bring to our team. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, primary carers, those with a disability, and women in STEM. ANSTO is a charter member of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative and is proudly taking action to create a gender-inclusive workforce.