Lead Structural Biologist - Cryo-EM Specialist

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 3,005,000 - 4,341,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Structural Biologist with deep Cryo-EM expertise to drive high-resolution drug discovery projects remotely. You will guide experimental design, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration across international sites.

The role emphasizes leadership, mentorship of junior scientists, and staying at the forefront of Cryo-EM techniques, while enjoying a remote-first work environment and flexible scheduling.

Qualifications

• PhD with strong Cryo-EM focus.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in structural biology and Cryo-EM.
• Proven ability to solve high-resolution structures of challenging protein complexes.
• Extensive experience with RELION, cisTEM, CryoSPARC for data processing.
• Experience in protein expression and purification methods.
• Strong leadership, communication, and remote collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Cryo-EM projects for high-resolution structure determination.
• Develop and optimize sample prep for challenging biomolecules.
• Oversee data collection on Cryo-EM instruments; coordinate via remote/partner labs.
• Process and interpret Cryo-EM data to inform drug design.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to strategy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a remote setting.
• Stay updated on Cryo-EM advancements.
• Manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks.

Skills

Cryo-EM proficiency

Relion/CryoSPARC workflows

Protein expression & purification

Data analysis & interpretation

Remote leadership

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Structural Biology / Biochemistry / Biophysics

Tools

RELION

cisTEM

CryoSPARC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a globally recognized leader in pharmaceutical research and development, committed to discovering and delivering innovative medicines. We are seeking an exceptional Lead Structural Biologist with specialized expertise in Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) to join our pioneering team. This fully remote role offers the unique opportunity to drive critical structural biology projects from the comfort of your own location. You will be instrumental in elucidating the 3D structures of complex biological macromolecules and their interactions, providing invaluable insights for drug design and mechanism of action studies. You will collaborate closely with computational chemists, medicinal chemists, and biologists across multiple international sites, leveraging state-of-the-art computational tools and remote collaboration platforms. This is a senior leadership position for a highly skilled scientist looking to make a significant impact on drug discovery while enjoying the benefits of a remote-first work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute Cryo-EM projects for high-resolution structural determination of drug targets and therapeutic molecules.
• Develop and optimize sample preparation techniques for challenging biological macromolecules.
• Oversee data collection on advanced Cryo-EM microscopes (access to facilities will be facilitated remotely or through partner labs).
• Manage and process large Cryo-EM datasets using state-of-the-art software packages and computational infrastructure.
• Interpret structural data to understand molecular mechanisms, guide drug design efforts, and validate drug binding modes.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (medicinal chemistry, biology, computational science) in a remote setting.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the development of structural biology strategies within the organization.
• Stay at the forefront of advancements in Cryo-EM technology and related fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field with a strong emphasis on Cryo-EM.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in structural biology, with a substantial focus on the application and development of Cryo-EM techniques.
• Proven track record of solving high-resolution structures of challenging protein complexes using Cryo-EM.
• Extensive experience with Cryo-EM data processing software (e.g., RELION, cisTEM, CryoSPARC).
• Familiarity with various protein expression and purification methods.
• Strong understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry principles.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, adapted for a remote work environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid time off. We provide ample opportunities for professional development, including virtual training, conference participation, and access to the latest scientific literature. Enjoy the ultimate flexibility and autonomy of a remote work arrangement, allowing for an exceptional work-life balance. You will be part of a globally distributed, highly collaborative team at the cutting edge of pharmaceutical innovation. Your work will directly contribute to the development of life-changing therapies, impacting global health.