Lead Structural Biologist — Hybrid Role in Protein Structures

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement contributions

Conference attendance support

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Structural Biologist at our Benoni, Gauteng facility. The role directs cutting-edge research to determine 3D structures of macromolecules involved in disease pathways, using X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM.

You will lead a team of scientists, oversee expression and purification, manage budgets, and collaborate with biochemists and pharmacologists in a hybrid work model that combines on-site lab work with remote analysis.

Qualifications

• PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of post-doctoral or independent research experience with strong publications.
• Extensive hands-on experience with X-ray crystallography and/or cryo-EM.
• Proven ability to express, purify, and crystallize/prepare proteins for structural determination.
• Proficiency with structure determination software and molecular graphics programs.
• Experience in leading and managing a scientific team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct structural biology research focusing on protein structure determination.
• Oversee protein expression, purification, and crystallization/sample preparation.
• Manage access to state-of-the-art structural biology facilities.
• Analyse and interpret structural data to elucidate molecular mechanisms.
• Collaborate with biochemists, cell biologists, and pharmacologists.
• Mentor junior scientists and postdocs.
• Manage research projects including budget, resources, and timelines.
• Contribute to high-impact publications and present at conferences.
• Ensure safety and lab best practices.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies in structural biology.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Structural Biology or related field

Tools

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Structural Biologist at our Benoni, Gauteng facility. The role directs cutting-edge research to determine 3D structures of macromolecules involved in disease pathways, using X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM.

You will lead a team of scientists, oversee expression and purification, manage budgets, and collaborate with biochemists and pharmacologists in a hybrid work model that combines on-site lab work with remote analysis.