Hybrid Senior Enzyme Engineer — Biocatalysis & Proteins

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Vacation leave

Competitive salary

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Protein Biochemist specializing in enzyme engineering for a Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA based role. You will design, characterize, and optimize enzymes for diverse industrial applications in a collaborative research environment.

The role combines hands‑on lab work with flexible remote engagement. A PhD with 5+ years in protein biochemistry and enzyme engineering is required, along with recombinant expression and purification experience.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or related field with strong protein/enzyme focus.
• Minimum 5 years of post‑doctoral or industry experience in protein biochemistry and enzyme engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in recombinant protein expression and purification techniques.
• Proven expertise in enzyme assay development, kinetic analysis, and protein engineering methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments for protein expression, purification, and characterization of enzymes.
• Apply directed evolution and rational design to engineer enzymes with improved activity, stability, and specificity.
• Develop and optimize enzymatic assays for performance evaluation.
• Characterize enzyme kinetics and thermodynamics using biochemical and biophysical techniques.
• Integrate enzyme engineering efforts with downstream process development.
• Analyze data and present findings to research teams and stakeholders.
• Troubleshoot protein expression and purification challenges.
• Stay current with advancements in protein biochemistry and biocatalysis.
• Contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.

Skills

Protein biochemistry

Enzyme engineering

Directed evolution

Rational design

Recombinant expression

Purification techniques

Kinetic analysis

Biophysical characterization

Data analysis

Communication

Education

PhD in Biochemistry or related field

Tools

Chromatography

SPR

ITC

Spectroscopy

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Protein Biochemist specializing in enzyme engineering for a Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA based role. You will design, characterize, and optimize enzymes for diverse industrial applications in a collaborative research environment.

The role combines hands‑on lab work with flexible remote engagement. A PhD with 5+ years in protein biochemistry and enzyme engineering is required, along with recombinant expression and purification experience.