Remote Principal Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Bellville; Hybrid; ZAR 1,400,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work setup

Annual conference budget

Health and dental benefits

Equity options

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Scientist in Drug Discovery to lead remote research programs, identify novel targets, and develop innovative assays across multiple disease areas. You will mentor a distributed team and collaborate with internal and external partners to drive the pipeline from target validation to lead optimization.

The role emphasizes remote-first collaboration, strategic project leadership, and impactful publications and patents, with a focus on cross-disciplinary coordination

Qualifications

• PhD in life sciences required with 10+ years in drug discovery.
• Proven ability to lead multiple drug discovery projects from target to preclinical candidate.
• Strong expertise in target validation strategies and assay development (biochemical and cellular).
• Demonstrated independence and successful remote team leadership.
• Record of high-impact publications and patent filings.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic research programs for novel drug discovery initiatives.
• Identify and validate new therapeutic targets across disease areas.
• Develop and optimize assays for target engagement and efficacy.
• Interpret complex data to drive go/no-go decisions.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and DMPK to advance leads.
• Mentor a remote team of bench scientists and associates.
• Publish scientific reports and presentations for internal/external use.
• Manage collaborations with academic and external partners.

Skills

Drug discovery leadership

Target validation

Assay development

Remote leadership

Scientific communication

Project management

Publications & patents

Education

PhD in Pharmacology/ Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal Scientist in Drug Discovery to join their expanding, remote-first research team. This critical role will drive the identification and validation of novel drug targets and the development of innovative therapeutic modalities across various disease areas. You will leverage your extensive scientific expertise to design and execute cutting-edge research strategies, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate with internal and external partners to advance the pipeline. As a fully remote position, you will have the flexibility to work from anywhere, contributing to our client's global research efforts. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a proven track record in drug discovery, who can operate independently and lead complex projects. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of therapeutic innovation and requires a deep understanding of target validation, assay development, and early-stage drug design. The emphasis is on a remote-first approach, fostering collaboration and productivity irrespective of physical location.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of strategic research programs for novel drug discovery initiatives.
• Identify, validate, and characterize new therapeutic targets across a range of disease indications.
• Develop and optimize innovative assays for target engagement, efficacy, and safety assessment.
• Oversee and interpret complex biological data to make critical go/no-go decisions for projects.
• Collaborate effectively with medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and DMPK teams to advance lead compounds.
• Mentor and guide a team of bench scientists and research associates in a remote setting.
• Author high-quality scientific reports, presentations, and publications for internal and external dissemination.
• Manage collaborations with academic institutions and external research organizations.
• Stay at the forefront of scientific literature and technological advancements in drug discovery.
• Contribute to the intellectual property strategy and patent filings.

Requirements

• PhD in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related life science discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery.
• Demonstrated success in leading multiple drug discovery projects from target identification through to preclinical candidate selection.
• Expertise in multiple therapeutic areas and modalities (small molecules, biologics).
• Strong command of target validation strategies, assay development (biochemical and cellular), and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Proven ability to work independently and lead teams effectively in a remote work environment.
• Exceptional scientific communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with data analysis, scientific software, and digital research tools.
• Track record of publications in high-impact journals and patent filings.
• Eligibility to work remotely from **Centurion, Gauteng**, or other suitable locations globally, maintaining adherence to company policies.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and equity options.
• Comprehensive health, wellness, and dental benefits package.
• Flexible working hours and remote work setup.
• Generous professional development budget for training and conferences.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking research with significant patient impact.
• Annual performance bonuses.
• Home office equipment stipend.
• Access to a global network of leading scientific minds.
• Contributory retirement savings plan.