Lead Bioinformatics Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban, South Africa, seeks a Lead Bioinformatics Scientist to guide computational drug discovery and target identification. You will lead a team of scientists, design analytics strategies, and partner with chemists and biologists to drive novel targets and candidate validation.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD with 7+ years in bioinformatics, strong omics expertise, proficiency in Python/R, and proven leadership within a fast-paced research environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology or related life science field.
• Minimum 7 years of bioinformatics experience with at least 2 years in leadership.
• Experience analyzing omics data types (RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, WGS, proteomics).
• Proficient in Python and R; strong scripting and data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and ability to drive collaborative projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of bioinformatics scientists to high performance.
• Develop computational methods for analyses of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
• Design workflows to identify and prioritize drug targets and candidates.
• Collaborate with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to integrate findings.
• Oversee data interpretation and development of predictive models for efficacy and toxicity.
• Contribute to R&D strategy and ensure reproducible analytics pipelines.
• Present findings to senior management and external partners.

Skills

Python

R

Omics data analysis

Leadership

Cloud computing

Data visualization

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

Genomics tools

Bioinformatics databases

Cloud platforms (AWS/GCP)

Linux/Unix

Job description

Our client, a dynamic biopharmaceutical company, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Bioinformatics Scientist to join their expanding research team. This position, located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA, will be instrumental in guiding the application of bioinformatics and computational approaches to accelerate early-stage drug discovery. You will lead a team of talented scientists, drive the development of novel analytical strategies, and collaborate closely with molecular biologists, chemists, and pharmacologists to identify and validate new drug targets. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of therapeutic innovation in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong blend of technical expertise in bioinformatics, leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of the drug discovery process. We are committed to fostering an environment where scientific curiosity and innovation are paramount, enabling our team to make significant contributions to patient care. Your leadership will be key to translating complex biological data into actionable insights for new drug development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of bioinformatics scientists, fostering a collaborative and high-performing research environment.
• Develop and implement advanced computational and statistical methods for analyzing complex biological datasets, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
• Design and execute bioinformatics workflows to identify and prioritize novel drug targets and therapeutic candidates.
• Collaborate extensively with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to integrate bioinformatics findings into discovery projects.
• Oversee the interpretation of experimental data and the development of predictive models for drug efficacy and toxicity.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the R&D department, particularly in areas related to data-driven drug discovery.
• Present complex scientific findings to diverse audiences, including senior management and external collaborators.
• Ensure the quality, reproducibility, and documentation of all bioinformatics analyses and pipelines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in bioinformatics, with at least 2 years in a leadership or team lead role.
• Demonstrated expertise in analyzing various omics data types (e.g., RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, WGS, proteomics).
• Proficiency in scripting and programming languages such as Python and R, and experience with relevant bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Strong understanding of molecular biology, genetics, and the drug discovery process.
• Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization techniques.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and thrive in a fast-paced research environment.
• Experience with cloud computing environments and big data technologies is advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid time off.
• We invest in our employees' professional growth through training programs and opportunities to attend scientific conferences.
• The work environment in Durban is dynamic and collaborative, encouraging innovation and scientific exploration.
• We provide ample opportunities for career advancement within a growing organization.
• Join us and contribute to the development of life-changing therapies.