Principal Research Scientist - Synthetic Biology

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Professional development funding

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Research Scientist in Synthetic Biology to lead projects in Soweto, Gauteng. You will design genetic circuits, optimize screening protocols, and mentor junior researchers in a dynamic biotech setting.

The role requires a PhD with 5+ years of experience in synthetic biology or genetic engineering, strong coding of experimental design, and clear communication of findings.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology.
• Proven experience in experimental design and execution.
• Experience mentoring junior researchers is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct genetic circuits and metabolic pathways.
• Develop high-throughput screening and characterization protocols.
• Engineer microorganisms or cell lines for industrial or therapeutic use.
• Analyze data and present results in technical reports.
• Stay current with advances in synthetic biology and related tools.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to scientific direction.

Skills

Molecular biology

Genetic engineering

Synthetic biology

Experiment design

Data interpretation

Education

PhD in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, or Bioengineering

Tools

CRISPR

Genome editing

Molecular cloning

Job description

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Senior Research Scientist - Synthetic Biology

About the Role Our client, a forward-thinking biotechnology company at the forefront of synthetic biology innovation, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Research Scientist to join their dedicated team in Soweto, Gauteng. This role is essential for advancing our client\'s mission to engineer novel biological systems for diverse applications, including sustainable manufacturing and novel therapeutics. You will lead research projects, design and implement genetic engineering strategies, and contribute to the development of cutting-edge synthetic biology tools. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology, with proven experience in experimental design and execution. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking science within a dynamic and collaborative research environment. We are committed to fostering scientific excellence and innovation. The position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting the value we place on scientific expertise at our Soweto, Gauteng location. Key Responsibilities

• Design and construct novel genetic circuits and metabolic pathways using advanced molecular cloning and genome engineering techniques.
• Develop and optimize protocols for the high-throughput screening and characterization of engineered biological systems.
• Apply synthetic biology principles to engineer microorganisms or cell lines for specific industrial or therapeutic applications.
• Conduct experiments to evaluate the performance and robustness of engineered systems.
• Utilize bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis, pathway design, and data interpretation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including process engineers, computational biologists, and product developers.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and present findings in technical reports and presentations.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges and propose innovative solutions for synthetic biology projects.
• Stay current with advancements in synthetic biology, molecular biology, and relevant technologies.
• Mentor junior research associates and contribute to the overall scientific direction of the team.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in synthetic biology or genetic engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in molecular cloning, genome editing (e.g., CRISPR), and genetic circuit design.
• Hands-on experience with microbial or mammalian cell culture and genetic manipulation.
• Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting biological data, including sequencing data and high-throughput screening results.
• Strong understanding of metabolic engineering or protein engineering is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a creative approach to biological engineering challenges.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly.
• Experience in a Soweto, Gauteng based biotechnology research setting is advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with annual performance bonuses. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans are provided, along with a robust retirement savings plan. We provide strong support for professional development, including funding for conferences, workshops, and advanced training programs. Employees receive a generous annual leave allowance, paid sick leave, and observance of all national holidays, promoting a healthy work-life balance. The Soweto, Gauteng research facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and fosters a highly collaborative team environment. Additional benefits include opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and access to cutting-edge scientific resources.