Lead Systems Biologist

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement fund contribution

Annual performance bonuses

Relocation support

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, is seeking a Lead Systems Biologist to spearhead innovative research on disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. You will build and drive predictive models by integrating genomics, proteomics, and clinical data, guiding a multidisciplinary team of scientists.

You will lead collaborations with internal and external partners, present at conferences, and ensure high-quality, reproducible computational workflows within a cutting-edge biotech environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Systems Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant research experience with leadership.
• Expertise in developing and applying computational models to biological data.
• Proficiency in Python, R or MATLAB and bioinformatics tools.
• Strong leadership, communication and collaboration in pharma/biotech.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of systems biology projects to understand disease mechanisms.
• Develop computational models to analyze large-scale omics datasets.
• Integrate genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and clinical data into models.
• Identify regulatory pathways and molecular targets for intervention.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to advance programs.
• Mentor a team of systems biologists and bioinformaticians.
• Stay updated with advances in systems biology and bioinformatics.
• Present findings to stakeholders and international forums.
• Ensure data analysis and modeling workflows are rigorous and reproducible.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentorship

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Systems Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related field

Tools

Python

R

MATLAB

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering biotechnology company looking for an exceptional Lead Systems Biologist to spearhead innovative research initiatives in their George, Western Cape facility. This senior role demands a visionary leader with a profound understanding of complex biological networks and the ability to integrate diverse data types (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) into coherent, predictive models. You will be instrumental in identifying novel therapeutic targets and designing next-generation biological interventions. The ideal candidate will have a proven history of successfully managing complex research projects and leading scientific teams. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of biological research and development in George, Western Cape , working at the forefront of interdisciplinary science.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of systems biology research projects focused on understanding disease mechanisms and developing novel therapeutics.
• Develop and implement advanced computational models to analyze and interpret large-scale omics datasets.
• Integrate data from various sources, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and clinical data, to build comprehensive biological system models.
• Identify and validate key regulatory pathways and molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., drug discovery, clinical development) and external partners to advance research programs.
• Mentor and guide a team of systems biologists and bioinformaticians, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in systems biology, bioinformatics, and relevant therapeutic areas.
• Present research findings to internal stakeholders and at international scientific forums.
• Ensure the quality and integrity of data analysis and computational modeling workflows.

Requirements

• PhD in Systems Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related quantitative biological science.
• At least 8 years of relevant research experience, with a significant portion in a leadership or principal investigator role.
• Extensive experience in developing and applying computational models (e.g., network analysis, pathway modeling, machine learning) to biological data.
• Demonstrated expertise in analyzing large-scale omics datasets.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or MATLAB, and experience with relevant bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Strong understanding of molecular biology, cell biology, and disease pathophysiology.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to manage projects and teams.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry is highly desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment in George, Western Cape .

Benefits

Our client provides a highly competitive remuneration package, comprehensive medical and dental coverage, a generous retirement fund contribution, annual performance bonuses, extensive professional development opportunities, and a stimulating work environment. Relocation support is available for successful candidates moving to George, Western Cape .