Lead Biologist - Drug Discovery & Preclinical Leadership

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional growth via international/

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Biologist in Cape Town to spearhead pharmaceutical development. You will oversee a team of scientists, set scientific direction, manage research pipelines, and drive candidates toward preclinical advancement.

The role requires a PhD with 7+ years in pharma R&D, leadership experience, and proven expertise in oncology or immunology. You will collaborate across disciplines, interpret complex data, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• PhD in biology-related field with drug discovery focus.
• 7+ years of pharma R&D with 3+ years in leadership.
• Expertise in oncology, immunology, or infectious diseases.
• Experience with diverse biological assays and screening technologies.
• Proven ability to manage projects, budgets, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong publication record or patents.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team in drug discovery programs.
• Develop strategic research plans for identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets.
• Oversee design and execution of in vitro and in vivo studies for efficacy and safety.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and clinical teams to advance drug candidates.
• Analyze biological data and present findings to senior management and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety, ethical, and regulatory standards.

Skills

Leadership

Drug discovery

Biology expertise

Data analysis

Project management

Education

PhD in Biology/Pharmacology/Biochemistry

Tools

Omics data analysis

In vitro assays

In vivo models

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Biologist in Cape Town to spearhead pharmaceutical development. You will oversee a team of scientists, set scientific direction, manage research pipelines, and drive candidates toward preclinical advancement.

The role requires a PhD with 7+ years in pharma R&D, leadership experience, and proven expertise in oncology or immunology. You will collaborate across disciplines, interpret complex data, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.