Principal Scientist, Drug Discovery Leader

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 2,400,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary premium with bonus potential

Comprehensive health benefits

Leadership development opportunities

Access to cutting-edge research infra

Relocation assistance

Collaborative culture and team science

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Principal Scientist to lead drug discovery initiatives, guiding research strategies and managing project teams to advance candidates from discovery through preclinical development.

This senior role requires a PhD and 10+ years in drug discovery, proven leadership, PK/PD and toxicology expertise, and a track record of collaboration with academia and CROs to deliver innovative therapies.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related life science discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in drug discovery.
• Proven track record leading research teams and managing complex projects.
• Expertise in preclinical drug development including PK/PD and toxicology.
• Proficient with modern drug discovery technologies and methodologies.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute innovative research strategies for small molecule and biologics drug discovery programs.
• Lead and mentor a team of scientists and technicians, fostering a collaborative and high-performance research environment.
• Design and oversee complex research projects, including target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization.
• Interpret experimental results, troubleshoot complex scientific challenges, and make critical decisions to advance projects.
• Manage external collaborations with academic institutions and contract research organizations.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation and patent applications.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related life science discipline

Job description

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Principal Scientist to lead drug discovery initiatives, guiding research strategies and managing project teams to advance candidates from discovery through preclinical development.

This senior role requires a PhD and 10+ years in drug discovery, proven leadership, PK/PD and toxicology expertise, and a track record of collaboration with academia and CROs to deliver innovative therapies.