Principal Scientist - Structural Biology

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Medical and retirement benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, South Africa, seeks a Principal Scientist to lead its Structural Biology group. The role focuses on solving protein structures, mentoring scientists, and collaborating with medicinal chemistry and biology teams to accelerate drug discovery.

The candidate will oversee project design, implement X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM workflows, and stay at the forefront of structural techniques, while contributing to strategic planning and ensuring high-impact publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of post-doctoral and/or industry experience in structural biology.
• Proven ability to express, purify, and characterize proteins for structural studies.
• Experience with structure-based drug design principles.
• Publications in high-impact journals and leadership experience are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage structural biology research projects from target selection to structure determination.
• Apply X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM to solve complex biological problems.
• Develop and optimize protein expression, purification, crystallization, and data collection methods.
• Interpret structural data to inform drug design strategies and collaborate with chemists and biologists.
• Mentor junior scientists and technical staff; present findings at conferences and drive strategic planning.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Collaboration

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

PhD in Structural Biology/Biochemistry/Biophysics

Tools

Crystallographic software

Cryo-EM data processing software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-leading biopharmaceutical company, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Scientist to lead their Structural Biology group in Bloemfontein, Free State . This senior position is critical for elucidating the three-dimensional structures of therapeutic targets and their complexes with drug candidates, providing essential insights for rational drug design. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), or other relevant structural biology techniques. You will be responsible for directing research efforts, mentoring scientists, and collaborating closely with medicinal chemists and biologists to accelerate drug discovery programs. This is an outstanding opportunity to make a significant impact at the forefront of therapeutic innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage structural biology research projects, from target selection to structure determination.
• Apply advanced structural biology techniques, including X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, to solve complex biological problems.
• Develop and optimize methods for protein expression, purification, crystallization, and data collection.
• Interpret structural data and integrate it with biochemical and cellular data to inform drug design strategies.
• Collaborate effectively with medicinal chemists, biochemists, and cell biologists to advance discovery programs.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and technical staff within the structural biology group.
• Present research findings internally and externally at scientific conferences.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of structural biology capabilities and resource allocation.
• Maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of structural biology techniques and instrumentation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of post-doctoral and/or industry experience in structural biology, with a strong focus on X-ray crystallography and/or cryo-EM.
• Demonstrated expertise in solving challenging protein structures.
• Proven ability to express, purify, and characterize proteins for structural studies.
• Experience with structure-based drug design principles.
• Proficiency in crystallographic software and/or cryo-EM data processing software.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Track record of publications in high-impact journals.
• Experience managing research projects and leading scientific teams is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive compensation package, including a significant bonus potential, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and relocation assistance.
• This role in Bloemfontein offers the chance to work with world-class facilities and cutting-edge technologies.
• We are committed to fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment, providing ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Be a key player in shaping the future of medicine.