Biochemist - Enzyme Engineering

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 1,469,000 - 2,285,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health/dental/vision insurance

Fully remote work policy

Professional development budget

Pioneering enzyme projects

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a talented Biochemist with expertise in Enzyme Engineering to join their remote research team. You will design and develop novel enzymes with enhanced catalytic properties for industrial and therapeutic applications.

This role covers rational design, directed evolution, protein characterization, high-throughput screening, and collaboration with computational biologists and chemists. A PhD and at least three years postdoctoral or industry experience are required, with

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in enzyme/protein engineering.
• Expertise in enzyme kinetics, protein purification and characterization techniques.
• Experience with molecular cloning, site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant protein expression systems.
• Familiarity with directed evolution strategies and/or rational protein design.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate remotely.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer novel enzymes with improved stability, activity and specificity.
• Develop and optimize high-throughput screening assays for enzyme activity and performance.
• Utilize molecular biology techniques for gene cloning, expression and protein purification.
• Characterize enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, and structural properties.
• Collaborate with computational biologists and synthetic chemists to guide enzyme design.
• Stay current with advancements in enzyme engineering and biocatalysis.

Skills

Enzyme kinetics

Protein purification

Molecular cloning

Site-directed mutagenesis

Directed evolution

Rational design

Recombinant protein expression

Remote collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented and innovative Biochemist with expertise in Enzyme Engineering to join their cutting-edge research team, operating remotely. This role is central to the design and development of novel enzymes with enhanced catalytic properties for industrial and therapeutic applications. You will be involved in every stage of the enzyme engineering cycle, from rational design and directed evolution to characterization and optimization. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking scientific advancements in a flexible, remote working environment. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of protein biochemistry, enzymology, and molecular biology techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and engineer novel enzymes with improved stability, activity, and specificity using computational and experimental approaches.
• Develop and optimize high-throughput screening assays for enzyme activity and performance.
• Utilize molecular biology techniques for gene cloning, expression, and protein purification.
• Characterize enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, and structural properties.
• Collaborate with computational biologists and synthetic chemists to guide enzyme design efforts.
• Stay current with advancements in enzyme engineering , biocatalysis, and related fields, applying knowledge to research challenges.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in enzyme engineering or protein engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in enzyme kinetics, protein purification, and characterization techniques.
• Experience with molecular cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and recombinant protein expression systems.
• Familiarity with directed evolution strategies and/or rational protein design principles.
• Strong problem-solving skills and excellent communication abilities for remote collaboration.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and stock options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible working hours and a fully remote work policy.
• Generous budget for professional development and conference attendance.
• Opportunity to work on pioneering projects in enzyme technology.