Pharmaceutical Research Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Generous pension contributions

State-of-the-art facilities and growth

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Pharmaceutical Research Scientist specializing in Drug Discovery to join our Centurion-based team. The role focuses on identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets and advancing drug candidates through early development stages, with hands‑on laboratory work and close collaboration across scientists.

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD with 4+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience, demonstrating strong expertise in target validation, assay development, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of postdoctoral or industry research experience in drug discovery.
• Proven expertise in target validation, assay development, and preclinical drug screening.
• Hands‑on experience with relevant laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong track record of scientific innovation, problem‑solving, and data interpretation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting scientific data.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments to identify and characterize potential drug targets.
• Perform high-throughput screening (HTS) and lead optimization studies.
• Utilize advanced molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology techniques.
• Analyze complex experimental data, interpret results, and present findings to research teams and management.
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, publications, and patent applications.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and other cross-functional team members to drive discovery projects forward.

Skills

Target validation

Assay development

Preclinical drug screening

Molecular biology techniques

In vitro and in vivo experiments

Data interpretation

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmacology or Biochemistry or Molecular Biology

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering force in the pharmaceutical sector , is actively seeking a talented Pharmaceutical Research Scientist specializing in Drug Discovery to join their innovative research team based in Centurion . This role is central to identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets and advancing drug candidates through the early stages of development. You will leverage cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to explore new scientific frontiers, contributing directly to the development of life-changing medicines. This is an on-site position, demanding hands‑on laboratory work and close collaboration with a dedicated team of scientists.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments to identify and characterize potential drug targets.
• Perform high-throughput screening (HTS) and lead optimization studies.
• Utilize advanced molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology techniques.
• Analyze complex experimental data, interpret results, and present findings to research teams and management.
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, publications, and patent applications.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and other cross-functional team members to drive discovery projects forward.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of postdoctoral or industry research experience in drug discovery.
• Proven expertise in target validation, assay development, and preclinical drug screening.
• Hands‑on experience with relevant laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong track record of scientific innovation, problem‑solving, and data interpretation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting scientific data.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous pension fund contributions.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art research facilities and equipment.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and career advancement within a leading pharmaceutical company.