Lead Cheminformatician

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonus

Health and wellness benefits

Stock options & retirement plan

Cutting-edge computational resources

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Lead Cheminformatician to spearhead computational chemistry and drug discovery in Centurion. You will build and manage large chemical/biological databases, develop predictive models, and guide a team of cheminformaticians in advancing therapeutic pipelines.

You will collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists, leveraging advanced tools and data science to accelerate discovery and development.

Qualifications

• PhD in Cheminformatics, Computational Chemistry, Computer Science or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in computational drug discovery and cheminformatics.
• Strong programming skills in Python, Java, or C++ and experience with scientific libraries.
• Expertise in molecular modeling software and database management systems (SQL/NoSQL).

Responsibilities

• Develop computational strategies for drug discovery including virtual screening and QSAR modeling.
• Lead a team of cheminformaticians and mentor staff.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to support projects.
• Evaluate and integrate new computational tools into the discovery workflow.
• Manage large chemical, biological, and experimental datasets and databases.
• Guide project delivery and ensure robust data science practices.

Skills

Python

Java

C++

Team leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in Cheminformatics/Computational Chemistry/CS

Tools

Molecular modeling

SQL databases

NoSQL databases

Cheminformatics toolkits

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and innovative Lead Cheminformatician to spearhead their computational chemistry and drug discovery efforts in Centurion . This pivotal role involves leveraging advanced computational tools and data science techniques to accelerate the discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents. You will be responsible for building and managing large chemical and biological databases, developing predictive models, and guiding a team of talented cheminformaticians. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional to make a significant impact on drug discovery pipelines within a leading research organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement computational strategies for drug discovery, including virtual screening, QSAR modeling, and molecular design.
• Manage and curate large-scale chemical, biological, and experimental datasets using robust database systems.
• Build and maintain predictive models for compound activity, ADMET properties, and other relevant endpoints.
• Lead and mentor a team of cheminformaticians, providing technical guidance and fostering professional growth.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to support project goals.
• Evaluate and integrate new computational tools and technologies into the discovery workflow.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Cheminformatics, Computational Chemistry, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in computational drug discovery and cheminformatics.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++, and experience with scientific libraries.
• Expertise in molecular modeling software, database management systems (SQL, NoSQL), and cheminformatics toolkits.
• Proven ability to lead projects and mentor scientific staff.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and significant bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous stock options and retirement savings plan.
• Access to cutting-edge computational infrastructure and resources in Centurion .
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment with ample opportunities for career advancement.