Lead Data Scientist - Machine Learning in Drug Discovery

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Equity options

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401k matching

Unlimited PTO

Remote work stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to build and head a ML team in a fully remote role. You will develop models to predict drug efficacy, identify therapeutic targets, and optimize drug design pipelines while steering ML strategy and mentoring researchers.

The role requires a PhD/MSc in a quantitative field, 7+ years in data science with biological data, and strong leadership. Collaboration across biology, chemistry, and clinical teams is essential for impact and innovation.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Computer Science, Statistics, Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, or related field.
• 7+ years of data science and ML experience, with biological/chemical data focus.
• Experience leading and mentoring data science teams.
• Expertise across ML algorithms (DL, gradient boosting, SVM, Bayesian methods).
• Proficiency in Python (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn) and SQL.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of ML models for drug discovery applications.
• Build and mentor a high-performing data science team.
• Define the ML roadmap and strategy aligned with company goals.
• Collaborate with computational biology, chemistry, and pharmacology teams to translate data needs into insights.
• Develop and maintain scalable ML pipelines and infrastructure.
• Stay updated on ML/AI advancements and their drug discovery applications.
• Communicate complex findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ensure responsible and ethical application of AI/ML in research.

Skills

ML algorithms

Python

SQL

Leadership

Cloud platforms

Education

PhD or MSc in CS/Statistics/ML/Bioinformatics

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazing startup at the forefront of AI-driven drug discovery, is seeking an exceptional Lead Data Scientist to build and head their machine learning team. This is a fully remote role, offering unparalleled flexibility to contribute from anywhere. You will be responsible for developing and deploying sophisticated machine learning models to predict drug efficacy, identify novel therapeutic targets, and optimize drug design pipelines. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of ML algorithms, extensive experience with large biological datasets, and the ability to translate complex scientific challenges into data-driven solutions. You will guide the strategic direction of ML initiatives, mentor a team of talented data scientists, and collaborate closely with computational biologists, chemists, and clinicians to accelerate the drug discovery process. If you are passionate about leveraging AI to revolutionize medicine and thrive in a dynamic, remote-first environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you. This role is a cornerstone for shaping the future of therapeutic innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of machine learning models for various drug discovery applications (e.g., target identification, compound screening, efficacy prediction).
• Build and mentor a high-performing team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Define the ML roadmap and strategy in alignment with company objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (computational biology, chemistry, pharmacology) to understand data needs and deliver actionable insights.
• Develop and maintain scalable ML pipelines and infrastructure.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and their applications in drug discovery.
• Communicate complex findings and methodologies to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ensure the responsible and ethical application of AI/ML in research.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in data science and machine learning, with a significant portion focused on biological or chemical data.
• Proven experience in leading and managing a team of data scientists.
• Expertise in a wide range of ML algorithms (e.g., deep learning, gradient boosting, SVMs, Bayesian methods).
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python (with libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn) and SQL.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and big data technologies.
• Strong understanding of biological concepts relevant to drug discovery is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative setting.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and comprehensive equity options.
• We provide a generous benefits package that includes top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k matching program, and unlimited paid time off.
• Employees are empowered with a remote work stipend to ensure a productive home office setup.
• Continuous learning is encouraged through access to online courses, conferences, and internal knowledge-sharing sessions.
• You will be part of a groundbreaking company revolutionizing drug discovery, working with a passionate and diverse team committed to making a tangible impact on global health.
• Opportunities for rapid career growth and leadership are abundant in this fast-paced environment.