Principal Scientist - Structural Biology (Cryo-EM)

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work allowance

Home office setup support

Health, dental and vision insurance

Equity or stock options

Flexible hours

Unlimited paid time off

Professional development and training

Access to cutting-edge computational工具

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Scientist in Structural Biology with deep Cryo-EM expertise to join a remote research team. You will determine high‑resolution structures and provide insights to drug discovery in a fully remote context.

The role requires leading projects, mentoring staff, and publishing results while collaborating with cross‑functional teams in a highly flexible digital environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Structural Biology or related field with extensive Cryo-EM experience.
• 7+ years postdoc/industry experience in structural biology and cryo-EM.
• Proven ability to lead projects and mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead high‑resolution Cryo‑EM structure determination projects for drug targets.
• Optimize sample prep, grid freezing, and data collection strategies.
• Perform advanced image processing and 3D reconstruction.
• Interpret data to elucidate mechanisms and binding modes.
• Collaborate with chemists/biologists to guide lead optimization.
• Develop new Cryo‑EM workflows to improve throughput and resolution.
• Mentor junior scientists and present findings internally and at conferences.
• Contribute to strategic planning of structural biology within remote R&D.

Skills

Cryo-EM leadership

Remote collaboration

Analytical thinking

Mentoring

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Structural Biology

Tools

RELION

cryoSPARC

ChimeraX

PyMOL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned pharmaceutical research organization, is seeking an exceptional Principal Scientist specializing in Structural Biology, with a strong focus on Cryo‑Electron Microscopy (Cryo‑EM), to join their fully remote research team. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking drug discovery efforts without the need for relocation. You will be instrumental in determining high-resolution structures of biological macromolecules and complexes, providing critical insights into their function and interactions. As a remote‑first organization, we foster a highly collaborative and flexible digital environment, empowering our scientists to achieve maximum impact. The ideal candidate will have a deep expertise in Cryo‑EM techniques, sample preparation, data acquisition, image processing, and model building. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of computational biologists, medicinal chemists, and pharmacologists to advance novel therapeutic programs. This role is critical for understanding disease mechanisms at a molecular level and designing targeted therapies. We are looking for an individual driven by scientific curiosity and a desire to push the boundaries of structural biology research from any location.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct high‑resolution Cryo‑EM structure determination projects for drug discovery targets.
• Optimize sample preparation, grid freezing, and data collection strategies to achieve optimal imaging conditions.
• Perform advanced image processing, 3D reconstruction, and model building of macromolecular structures.
• Interpret structural data to elucidate molecular mechanisms, binding modes, and structure‑activity relationships.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists and biologists to guide lead optimization and target validation efforts.
• Develop and implement new Cryo‑EM methodologies and workflows to enhance throughput and resolution.
• Mentor and train junior scientists and technical staff in Cryo‑EM techniques and data analysis.
• Present research findings to internal teams, at scientific conferences, and in publications.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of structural biology research initiatives within the remote R&D framework.
• Ensure rigorous documentation and data management practices are maintained for all research activities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field with extensive experience in Cryo‑EM.
• Minimum of 7 years of postdoctoral or industry experience, demonstrating significant contributions to structural biology, particularly with Cryo‑EM.
• Expertise in all aspects of the Cryo‑EM workflow, including sample handling, data acquisition, image processing (e.g., RELION, cryoSPARC), and model building.
• Proficiency in molecular visualization software (e.g., ChimeraX, Pymol) and structure analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and drug discovery principles.
• Experience with other structural biology techniques (e.g., X‑ray crystallography, NMR) is a plus.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities, effective in a remote team setting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and mentor junior staff.
• Published extensively in peer‑reviewed journals in the field of structural biology.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary up to ZAR, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive remote work allowance and home office setup support.
• Top‑tier health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Significant equity or stock option package.
• Flexible working hours and an unlimited paid time off policy.
• Opportunities for professional development, virtual training, and conference participation.
• Direct contribution to developing innovative new medicines from anywhere.
• A collaborative and intellectually stimulating remote work environment.
• Access to cutting‑edge computational tools and resources.