Principal Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 2,936,000 - 3,915,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Stock options

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a distinguished Principal Scientist to lead initiatives in Drug Discovery, operating in a fully remote capacity. The role requires deep scientific expertise and a proven track record to drive discovery from target identification through lead optimization.

You will design and execute innovative research strategies, mentor scientific staff, and collaborate with internal and external partners to advance the company's pipeline in a remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Biology).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in drug discovery.
• Proven success leading discovery projects from concept to candidate nomination.
• Experience leading remote teams and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement drug discovery strategies from target validation to lead optimization.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to meet milestones in discovery projects.
• Incorporate novel technologies and methodologies to enhance capabilities.
• Analyze complex data to guide go/no-go decisions and project direction.
• Contribute to IP generation and author publications and presentations.
• Collaborate with external academic partners and CROs.

Skills

Leadership

Remote team management

Strategic thinking

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a distinguished Principal Scientist to lead critical initiatives within their Drug Discovery division, operating in a fully remote capacity. This senior role demands a deep scientific understanding and a proven track record of driving discovery programs from target identification through to lead optimization. You will be responsible for designing and executing innovative research strategies, mentoring scientific staff, and collaborating with internal and external partners to advance the company's pipeline. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of therapeutic development in a flexible, remote-first environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement cutting-edge drug discovery strategies, encompassing target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization.


• Lead multidisciplinary teams of scientists in the execution of discovery projects, ensuring progress against key milestones.


• Evaluate and incorporate novel technologies and methodologies to enhance discovery capabilities.


• Analyze and interpret complex biological and chemical data to make critical go/no-go decisions and guide project direction.


• Contribute to intellectual property generation and author scientific publications and presentations.


• Build and maintain strong relationships with external academic collaborators and contract research organizations.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Biology).


• 10+ years of progressive experience in drug discovery within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.


• Demonstrated success in leading discovery projects from concept to candidate nomination.


• Expertise in one or more therapeutic areas or modalities (e.g., oncology, immunology, small molecules, biologics).


• Strong understanding of drug discovery processes, including target validation, assay development, and lead optimization.


• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills, with proven ability to manage remote teams.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary, bonus structure, and stock options package.


• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.


• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and continuous learning.


• Fully remote work arrangement offering unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance.


• Opportunity to make a profound impact on patient health through innovative drug discovery.