Principal Crystallographer - Protein Structure Determination

Placements24; Kimberley; On-site; CAD 155,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional travel for dataCollection

Conference and grant support

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Crystallographer in Kimberley to lead structural biology efforts. You will head X-ray crystallography projects, oversee protein expression, purification, crystallization, and data collection at synchrotrons, and drive structure solution and refinement.

The role requires a PhD and 10+ years in the field, with strong leadership, collaboration, and publication experience in high-profile projects.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in X-ray crystallography.
• Extensive hands-on experience with protein crystallization, diffraction data collection, and structure solution/refinement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and conduct all aspects of X-ray crystallographic structure determination for proteins and complexes.
• Develop and optimize protocols for protein expression, purification, and crystallization.
• Collect high-quality diffraction data at national and international synchrotron sources.
• Solve and refine complex protein structures using state-of-the-art crystallographic software.
• Analyze and interpret structural data to understand protein function, mechanism, and drug interactions.
• Collaborate closely with biochemists, structural biologists, and drug discovery teams.
• Mentor and guide junior crystallographers and research assistants.
• Contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and grant applications.

Skills

Macromolecular crystallography

Leadership

Mentoring

Collaborative skills

Education

PhD in Structural Biology / Biochemistry / Biophysics / Chemistry

Tools

PHENIX

CCP4

Rosetta

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned research institute located in Kimberley, Northern Cape , is seeking an exceptional Principal Crystallographer to lead their structural biology efforts. This senior Scientific Research & Development role is dedicated to determining the three-dimensional structures of proteins and protein-ligand complexes using X-ray crystallography. You will be responsible for the entire process, from protein expression and purification, crystallization, data collection at synchrotron facilities, to structure solution and refinement. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in macromolecular crystallography, a deep understanding of protein structure-function relationships, and a proven ability to solve challenging structures. This is a unique opportunity to work on high-profile projects, contribute to fundamental biological discoveries, and mentor junior scientists. Join our esteemed team in Kimberley and advance the frontiers of structural biology.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and conduct all aspects of X-ray crystallographic structure determination for proteins and complexes.
• Develop and optimize protocols for protein expression, purification, and crystallization.
• Collect high-quality diffraction data at national and international synchrotron sources.
• Solve and refine complex protein structures using state-of-the-art crystallographic software.
• Analyze and interpret structural data to understand protein function, mechanism, and drug interactions.
• Collaborate closely with biochemists, structural biologists, and drug discovery teams.
• Manage laboratory resources, including equipment and consumables.
• Mentor and guide junior crystallographers and research assistants.
• Contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and grant applications.
• Stay current with advancements in crystallography and related structural biology techniques.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in X-ray crystallography.
• Extensive hands-on experience with protein crystallization, diffraction data collection, and structure solution/refinement.
• Proficiency with crystallographic software packages (e.g., PHENIX, CCP4, Rosetta).
• Strong understanding of protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural principles.
• Experience with fragment-based drug discovery and ligand-bound complex determination is highly advantageous.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and the ability to manage complex research projects in Kimberley .

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and international travel for data collection.
• Access to cutting-edge crystallographic facilities and synchrotron beamlines.
• A collaborative and scientifically stimulating work environment in Kimberley .
• Support for attending leading scientific conferences and workshops.
• Retirement savings plan and health insurance.
• Contribution to groundbreaking discoveries in structural biology.
• Generous vacation and holiday allowance.