Lead Geneticist - Molecular Diagnostics

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Career development

State-of-the-art sequencing

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking an accomplished Lead Geneticist to spearhead molecular diagnostics research. You will guide a team of scientists in developing and validating novel genetic testing methodologies, ensuring scientific rigor and accuracy.

The role requires a Ph.D. in genetics or related field, 7+ years in R&D leadership, and expertise in NGS, PCR, and bioinformatics. This position offers an opportunity to advance diagnostics capabilities within a cutting-edge facility.

Qualifications

• PhD in Genetics, Molecular Biology, or related field with specialization in human genetics or diagnostics.
• 7+ years of leading R&D projects in molecular diagnostics.
• Expertise in NGS, PCR, and gene expression analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new molecular diagnostic assays from concept to clinical validation.
• Oversee and manage a team of geneticists and laboratory technicians, providing technical guidance and mentorship.
• Develop and optimize protocols for DNA/RNA extraction, amplification, sequencing, and analysis.
• Ensure adherence to quality control standards and regulatory requirements for diagnostic tests.
• Analyze and interpret complex genetic data to identify disease markers and develop diagnostic panels.
• Collaborate with clinical partners and product development teams to translate research findings into market-ready solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Next-Generation Sequencing

PCR

Gene Expression Analysis

Bioinformatics Tools

Statistics for genetics

Education

Ph.D. in Genetics or related field

Tools

R

Python

NGS data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Lead Geneticist to spearhead their molecular diagnostics research efforts in Cape Town . This critical role involves leading a team of scientists in the development and validation of novel genetic testing methodologies. You will play a key part in advancing the company's diagnostic capabilities, ensuring the highest standards of scientific rigor and accuracy. The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of genetics, a strong track record in molecular diagnostics, and exceptional leadership skills to guide the research team towards impactful discoveries and reliable clinical assays.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new molecular diagnostic assays , from concept to clinical validation.
• Oversee and manage a team of geneticists and laboratory technicians, providing technical guidance and mentorship.
• Develop and optimize protocols for DNA/RNA extraction, amplification, sequencing, and analysis.
• Ensure adherence to quality control standards and regulatory requirements for diagnostic tests.
• Analyze and interpret complex genetic data to identify disease markers and develop diagnostic panels.
• Collaborate with clinical partners and product development teams to translate research findings into market-ready solutions.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related field, with a specialization in human genetics or diagnostics .
• Significant experience (7+ years) in leading R&D projects within a molecular diagnostics setting.
• Expertise in various genetic analysis techniques, including Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), PCR, and gene expression analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in assay development, validation, and regulatory compliance (e.g., ISO 13485).
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities, with a proven ability to foster a collaborative research environment.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools and statistical analysis for genetic data interpretation.

Benefits

• An attractive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Extensive health and wellness benefits, including private medical insurance.
• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership development within a growing organization.
• Access to cutting-edge genomic sequencing and analysis technologies at our Cape Town facility.
• A supportive and scientifically driven work culture committed to innovation.