Remote Principal Research Scientist – Synthetic Biology

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Stock options

Professional development

Remote work

Cutting-edge tools

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for a Principal Research Scientist role in Centurion, South Africa, to lead innovative projects in synthetic biology and genetic engineering. You will define research strategies, guide experiments, and mentor a team of scientists in a remote-first environment.

The role offers access to state-of-the-art genomics platforms, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and opportunities to publish, patent, and contribute to a dynamic biotech portfolio.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology, or a related life science discipline.
• 8+ years of postdoctoral and/or industry R&D experience in biotechnology.
• Expertise in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and/or metabolic engineering.
• Experience leading and designing complex research projects with data analysis.
• Proficiency with bioinformatics tools and genomic/proteomic data.
• Experience with PCR, cloning, gene editing (CRISPR), and cell culture.
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement innovative research programs in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and gene editing.
• Lead a team of scientists in designing and executing complex experiments, troubleshooting challenges, and interpreting results.
• Establish and optimize protocols for high-throughput screening and data analysis.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to achieve project goals.
• Stay current with scientific literature and emerging technologies in biotechnology.
• Prepare high-quality manuscripts for publication and present findings at major conferences.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio through patent filings and strategic research direction.
• Mentor junior scientists and foster a culture of scientific rigor, creativity, and collaboration.
• Ensure rigorous data integrity and adherence to all relevant regulatory and ethical guidelines.

Skills

Genetic engineering

Synthetic biology

Metabolic engineering

Bioinformatics

PCR

Cloning

CRISPR

Cell culture

Leadership

Communication

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology

Tools

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

Placements24 invites applications for a Principal Research Scientist role in Centurion, South Africa, to lead innovative projects in synthetic biology and genetic engineering. You will define research strategies, guide experiments, and mentor a team of scientists in a remote-first environment.

The role offers access to state-of-the-art genomics platforms, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and opportunities to publish, patent, and contribute to a dynamic biotech portfolio.