Remote Principal Data Scientist - AI in Drug Discovery

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 1.800.000 - 2.400.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Unlimited PTO

Home office stipend

Remote-friendly culture

Equity options

Professional development budget

Zusammenfassung

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead AI/ML-driven drug discovery initiatives in a fully remote setting. You will guide the design, development, and deployment of advanced ML models applied to biological and chemical data, with collaboration across chemists and biologists.

The role requires a PhD with 8+ years in data science, expertise in deep learning and Bayesian methods, and strong Python proficiency.

Qualifikationen

• PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience applying AI/ML to biological or chemical data.
• Proven track record of predictive model development for drug discovery or related life sciences.
• Expertise in ML algorithms (deep learning, ensembles, Bayesian).

Aufgaben

• Lead design, development and deployment of ML models for drug discovery (QSAR, virtual screening, hit-to-lead).
• Analyze large-scale biological, chemical, and clinical datasets with advanced ML techniques.
• Collaborate with chemists/biologists to translate insights into strategies.
• Build and maintain scalable data pipelines and ML infra.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team growth.
• Stay updated on AI advances and publish research findings.

Kenntnisse

PhD in Data Science

8+ years experience

AI/ML in life sciences

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

AWS

GCP

Azure

Chemoinformatics

Bioinformatics

Ausbildung

PhD in Data Science

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

SQL

Spark

Airflow

Jobbeschreibung

About the Role

Our client is a groundbreaking AI-driven drug discovery company committed to revolutionizing how new medicines are developed. We are seeking a Principal Data Scientist with extensive expertise in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to drug discovery challenges. This senior role is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere while collaborating with a world-class team of computational scientists, chemists, and biologists. You will lead the development and implementation of advanced ML models to analyze vast biological and chemical datasets, predict molecular properties, optimize drug candidates, and uncover novel therapeutic targets. As a remote-first organization, we provide robust digital infrastructure and foster a highly collaborative virtual environment. This is a unique opportunity to drive significant innovation in drug discovery using state-of-the‑art AI techniques. We are looking for a visionary leader who can guide strategic AI initiatives and mentor a growing team of data scientists. Your work will directly impact the speed and success of our drug development pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models for drug discovery applications (e.g., QSAR, virtual screening, hit-to-lead optimization).
• Analyze and interpret large-scale biological, chemical, and clinical datasets using advanced statistical and ML techniques.
• Develop novel algorithms and approaches to address complex challenges in drug discovery.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and biologists to translate insights into actionable drug discovery strategies.
• Build and maintain scalable data pipelines and ML infrastructure.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and their applications in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and results effectively to diverse audiences, including management and research teams.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of AI initiatives within the company.
• Publish research findings in top-tier journals and present at leading conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in data science, with a substantial focus on applying AI/ML to biological or chemical data.
• Proven track record of developing and deploying predictive models for drug discovery or related life sciences applications.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms (e.g., deep learning, ensemble methods, Bayesian methods).
• Strong programming skills in Python and proficiency with ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with large dataset analysis, cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), and big data technologies.
• Solid understanding of chemistry, biology, or pharmacology concepts relevant to drug discovery.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, crucial for remote collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and mentor junior team members.
• Experience with cheminformatics and bioinformatics tools is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and substantial equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous bonus structure tied to company and individual performance.
• Home office equipment and technology stipend.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.
• Professional development budget for continuous learning and conferences.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Opportunity to lead groundbreaking AI research in drug discovery from anywhere.
• Work with a highly talented, mission-driven, and globally distributed team.
• Directly contribute to bringing novel therapies to patients faster.