Remote Pharmaceutical Research Scientist (Infectious Diseases)

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Fully remote work

Virtual training programs

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a remote Pharmaceutical Research Scientist specializing in Infectious Diseases. Design and perform experiments, drive discovery, and collaborate with a distributed team from a home office near Cape Town.

The role requires a PhD and at least 4 years of postdoctoral or industry experience, strong data analysis, manuscript preparation, and experience in drug discovery. Excellent communication and independent work in a remote setting are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Pharmacology, or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in infectious disease research.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing novel experimental assays.
• Extensive experience with molecular biology techniques and cell culture.
• Experience with drug discovery processes and early-stage development.
• Ability to work independently and manage projects in a remote environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for remote collaboration.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (GraphPad Prism, R).
• Stable, high-speed internet and a dedicated home office space.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments to identify targets for infectious diseases.
• Conduct high-throughput screening and lead optimization studies.
• Analyze complex data and generate clear reports for stakeholders.
• Stay current with literature and advancements in infectious disease research.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a remote setting.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication and present findings virtually.
• Assist with regulatory documents (e.g., IND filings) as needed.
• Manage external collaborations and CROs in a compliant manner.
• Ensure all activities adhere to ethical guidelines and protocols.

Skills

Independent researcher

Remote collaboration

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Pharmacology, or related field

Tools

GraphPad Prism

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in pharmaceutical research and development, is seeking a dedicated and innovative Remote Pharmaceutical Research Scientist specializing in Infectious Diseases. This fully remote position allows you to contribute significantly to groundbreaking research from the convenience of your home office, ideally located within or near Cape Town, Western Cape. You will play a pivotal role in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics to combat infectious diseases, contributing to global health initiatives. This role requires a high degree of scientific rigor, independence, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a distributed team. If you are passionate about combating pandemics and developing life‑saving treatments, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a profound impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments to identify and validate novel drug targets for infectious diseases.
• Conduct high-throughput screening assays and lead optimization studies for potential drug candidates.
• Analyze and interpret complex biological and pharmacological data, generating clear and concise reports.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature, research trends, and technological advancements in infectious disease research and drug discovery.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including virologists, immunologists, medicinal chemists, and computational biologists, in a remote setting.
• Prepare scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at virtual scientific conferences.
• Contribute to the preparation of regulatory documents (e.g., IND filings) as needed.
• Manage external research collaborations and CROs (Contract Research Organizations) effectively.
• Ensure all research activities are conducted in compliance with ethical guidelines and internal protocols.

Requirements

• PhD in Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Pharmacology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in infectious disease research.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing novel experimental assays.
• Extensive experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, cloning, gene expression analysis) and cell culture.
• Experience with drug discovery processes and early-stage development.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for remote collaboration and reporting.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R) and scientific literature databases.
• Must have a stable, high-speed internet connection and a dedicated home office space conducive to focused research.

Benefits

This is a fully remote position offering unparalleled flexibility. Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and the opportunity to work on cutting‑edge research that has a global impact. You will join a diverse and highly skilled team dedicated to scientific advancement. We support continuous learning and offer access to virtual training and development programs. Be part of a mission‑driven organization committed to improving global health outcomes.