Principal Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

Health benefits

Relocation assistance

Research facilities

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Scientist to join its Drug Discovery team in Centurion, Gauteng. You will lead target identification and validation, guiding the development of small molecules and biologics while mentoring a team of scientists.

The role emphasizes strategic direction, collaboration across disciplines, and driving innovative therapeutic programs from discovery through early development.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Organic Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in drug discovery in pharma/biotech.
• Proven ability to lead discovery projects from target validation to lead optimization.
• Strong publication record and conference presentations.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects focused on discovery and preclinical development.
• Design and optimize lead compounds using medicinal chemistry expertise.
• Develop and execute in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies.
• Collaborate with biology, DMPK, toxicology and CMC teams.
• Author and present research findings to governance and forums.
• Mentor junior scientists and drive scientific excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Organic Chemistry, or related discipline

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively recruiting for a distinguished Principal Scientist to join their pioneering Drug Discovery team in Centurion . This senior role is crucial for driving the identification and validation of novel drug targets and leading the development of innovative small molecule and biologic therapeutics. You will leverage your extensive expertise in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and early-stage development to guide research strategies and mentor a talented team of scientists. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of therapeutic development, working within a state-of-the‑art research environment dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs and advancing patient care through rigorous scientific inquiry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects focused on the discovery and preclinical development of novel therapeutic agents.
• Design and optimize lead compounds using expertise in medicinal chemistry and structure-activity relationships.
• Develop and execute in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies to assess compound efficacy and safety.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including biology, DMPK, toxicology, and CMC.
• Author and present research findings to internal governance committees and external scientific forums.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and innovation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Organic Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in drug discovery within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated success in leading drug discovery projects from target validation through lead optimization.
• Deep understanding of drug discovery processes, including target identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization.
• Strong publication record and experience presenting at international scientific conferences.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Highly attractive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous relocation assistance for candidates moving to Gauteng .
• Access to cutting-edge research infrastructure and technologies.
• Significant opportunities for scientific leadership and career growth in drug discovery .