Lead Protein Biochemist

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Career growth opportunities

State-of-the-art labs

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng, seeks a highly experienced Lead Protein Biochemist to lead the protein biochemistry group. You will guide experimental strategies and oversee a team of scientists in drug discovery initiatives.

The role focuses on characterizing protein targets’ structure, function and interactions using biochemical and biophysical techniques; you will mentor juniors and collaborate with chemists and structural biologists to advance programs. Lead with scientific excellence.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology or related field.
• Minimum 6 years' protein biochemistry and structural biology experience with leadership.
• Proven expertise in protein expression/purification and characterization.
• Experience with SPR, ITC, CD spectroscopy and enzymatic assays.
• Strong structure-function understanding for drug discovery.
• Excellent leadership and communication for managing a Randburg team.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of experiments to characterize protein structure, function and interactions.
• Oversee production, purification and QC of recombinant proteins for research.
• Develop assays for enzyme kinetics, protein–ligand and protein–protein interactions.
• Coach junior scientists in experimental design, analysis and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and structural biologists to advance programs.
• Ensure safety, scientific standards and efficient resource management.

Skills

Protein expression

Biochemical techniques

SPR

ITC

CD spectroscopy

Enzymatic assays

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Biochemistry/related

Tools

E. coli expression

Mammalian expression

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Lead Protein Biochemist to lead their protein biochemistry group in Randburg . This senior role is pivotal in characterizing the structure, function, and interactions of protein targets relevant to drug discovery. You will oversee a team of scientists, guide experimental strategies, and contribute to the advancement of novel therapeutic programs. This is an exceptional opportunity to make significant contributions to cutting-edge research and development in the vibrant Gauteng province, within a company committed to scientific excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of experiments to characterize protein structure, function, and interactions using biochemical and biophysical techniques.
• Oversee the production, purification, and quality control of recombinant proteins for various research applications.
• Develop and implement assays for studying enzyme kinetics, protein-ligand binding, and protein-protein interactions.
• Guide and mentor junior scientists in experimental design, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, structural biologists, and other research teams to advance drug discovery projects.
• Ensure the group maintains high scientific standards, adheres to safety protocols, and manages resources effectively.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in protein biochemistry and structural biology, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Extensive expertise in protein expression and purification (e.g., E. coli, insect, mammalian systems), and protein characterization techniques.
• Proficiency with biochemical and biophysical methods such as SPR, ITC, CD spectroscopy, and enzymatic assays.
• Strong understanding of protein structure-function relationships and their relevance to drug discovery.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, essential for managing a team in Randburg .

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary and a significant annual bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with generous employer contributions.
• Substantial opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and cutting-edge scientific technologies.