Lead Structural Biologist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; George; Sur place; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Salary commensurate with experience

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Annual leave and development support

Résumé du poste

Placements24 is partnering with a cutting-edge pharmaceutical research company in George, Western Cape to hire a Lead Structural Biologist. You will oversee a team, drive structure-based drug discovery, and guide projects from hypothesis to actionable insights.

The role demands a PhD and 7+ years in structural biology, with hands-on X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM. You will collaborate with chemists and biologists, manage timelines, and ensure GLP compliance in a fast-paced on-site lab in

Qualifications

• PhD with focus on protein structure determination.
• 7+ years in structural biology, pharma or drug discovery.
• Expertise in X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM data analysis.
• Proven leadership of scientific teams.

Responsabilités

• Lead a team of structural biologists and set scientific direction.
• Oversee expression, purification, and crystallization of targets.
• Direct structure determination using X-ray and cryo-EM.
• Collaborate with chemists and biologists to advance programs.
• Ensure GLP compliance and manage timelines and budgets.
• Present findings at meetings and conferences.

Connaissances

Leadership & mentorship

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM

Protein expression & purification

Structural biology

Drug design collaboration

Formation

PhD in Structural Biology / Biochemistry / Biophysics

Outils

PyMOL

Phenix

CCP4

RELION

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge pharmaceutical research company located in George, Western Cape , is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Structural Biologist to spearhead their drug discovery efforts. This critical role involves deciphering the three-dimensional structures of key biological targets and understanding their interactions with potential drug molecules. You will lead a team of highly skilled scientists, guiding them through complex structural biology projects from initial hypothesis to actionable insights. The position is based at our state-of-the‑art research facility in the scenic environs of George , a location renowned for its natural beauty and conducive research atmosphere. This role requires a deep understanding of macromolecular structure determination techniques and their application in pharmaceutical R&D. As a leader, you will foster a collaborative and innovative environment, ensuring the efficient progression of multiple drug discovery pipelines. This is an on‑site position, crucial for hands‑on laboratory work and team leadership within our dedicated research hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of structural biologists, providing scientific direction and mentorship.
• Oversee the expression, purification, and crystallization of target proteins and protein complexes.
• Direct the determination of protein structures using X-ray crystallography and/or cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
• Analyze structural data to elucidate molecular mechanisms of action and guide rational drug design.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, computational chemists, and biologists to advance drug discovery programs.
• Develop and implement novel structural biology strategies to address challenging targets.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and international scientific conferences.
• Contribute to intellectual property development and scientific publications.
• Ensure adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and safety protocols within the laboratory.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets effectively for structural biology initiatives in George .

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related discipline with a significant focus on protein structure determination.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in structural biology, with a substantial portion in the pharmaceutical industry or drug discovery setting.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with X-ray crystallography, including structure solution and refinement.
• Strong working knowledge of cryo‑electron microscopy (cryo-EM) techniques and data analysis is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor scientific teams effectively.
• Demonstrated success in structure-based drug design campaigns.
• Expertise in protein expression and purification techniques for difficult targets.
• Excellent understanding of biophysical methods for characterizing protein‑ligand interactions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong track record of publications and presentations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, results‑oriented research environment in George, Western Cape .

Benefits

Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package, including a highly competitive salary and performance‑based bonuses. The benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a robust retirement savings plan, and generous annual leave. Professional development support, including conference attendance and further training, is provided. Employees will have the opportunity to work with state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation and contribute to impactful drug discovery projects that could change patient lives. The location in George provides a unique lifestyle opportunity. This role is integral to our operations and requires consistent on‑site presence.