Cheminformatics Lead for Drug Discovery & Data Science

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Professional growth and conferences

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a Lead Cheminformatics Specialist to drive computational strategies for drug discovery. You will manage large chemical and biological datasets and guide research programs with senior and junior staff.

The role requires advanced degrees and 5+ years in cheminformatics, with strong Python and RDKit/Open Babel expertise. Hybrid work in a leading scientific team offers impactful, international collaboration opportunities.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Cheminformatics, Computational Chemistry, CS or related field.
• 5+ years in applied cheminformatics with drug-discovery focus.
• Proficiency in Python and cheminformatics libraries (RDKit/Open Babel).
• Experience with chemical databases, QSAR, virtual screening and modeling.
• Strong ability to communicate and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain cheminformatics tools and databases.
• Design computational experiments to support lead discovery and optimization.
• Analyze large datasets including chemical libraries and SAR data.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and data scientists.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship in the Cape Town center.

Skills

Python

RDKit

OpenBabel

Data analysis

QSAR modeling

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

PhD/MS in Cheminformatics

Cheminformatics/Computational Chemistry

Tools

RDKit

Open Babel

Molecular Modeling

Job description

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a Lead Cheminformatics Specialist to drive computational strategies for drug discovery. You will manage large chemical and biological datasets and guide research programs with senior and junior staff.

The role requires advanced degrees and 5+ years in cheminformatics, with strong Python and RDKit/Open Babel expertise. Hybrid work in a leading scientific team offers impactful, international collaboration opportunities.