Principal Scientist - Immunology Research

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Professional development

Conference attendance

State-of-the-art labs

Leadership role

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Scientist in Immunology to lead the Immunology Research effort in Bloemfontein. You will define a strategic agenda, mentor scientists, and drive innovation in immune-oncology and infectious diseases.

The role requires a PhD in immunology or related field, 8+ years of experience, and a proven track record of leading high‑impact projects using cutting-edge immunological techniques.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, or related field.
• At least 8 years of post‑doctoral and/or industry research experience in immunology.
• Proven track record leading research projects and mentoring staff.
• Hands‑on experience with immunological techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of immune signaling and cytokine biology.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead innovative research programs focused on cellular and molecular immunology.
• Investigate immune responses in infectious diseases and oncology.
• Develop and implement immunological assays (flow cytometry, ELISpot, cytokine analysis).
• Mentor and guide a team of research scientists and associates.
• Analyze and interpret complex immunological datasets, translating findings into hypotheses.
• Contribute to publications, patent applications, and regulatory submissions.

Skills

Immunology

Leadership

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Immunology or related field

Tools

Flow cytometry

ELISpot

Cytokine assays

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and visionary Principal Scientist to lead their Immunology Research efforts in Bloemfontein . This senior role is responsible for defining and executing a strategic research agenda aimed at understanding complex immune system mechanisms and translating these insights into novel therapeutic strategies. You will lead a team of immunologists, manage critical research projects, and foster a culture of scientific excellence and innovation. This is a career-defining opportunity for a leader in immunology to make a significant impact within a dynamic research organization based in Bloemfontein .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead innovative research programs focused on cellular and molecular immunology.
• Investigate immune responses in various disease contexts, including infectious diseases and oncology.
• Develop and implement cutting-edge immunological assays (e.g., flow cytometry, ELISpot, cytokine analysis).
• Mentor and guide a team of research scientists and associates, promoting scientific rigor and collaboration.
• Analyze and interpret complex immunological datasets, translating findings into actionable research hypotheses.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, patent applications, and regulatory submissions.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology , Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of post-doctoral and/or industry research experience in immunology.
• Proven track record of leading successful research projects and mentoring scientific staff.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with a wide range of immunological techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of immune signaling pathways, cytokine biology, and immune cell function.
• Excellent scientific writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and attractive bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and life insurance benefits.
• Generous professional development support and conference attendance.
• Opportunity to work with state-of-the-art immunology research facilities.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment focused on groundbreaking discovery.
• Significant scientific leadership role in Bloemfontein .