Remote Senior Computational Biologist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 2,470,000 - 3,458,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Home office stipend

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Biologist for a fully remote drug-discovery team. The role focuses on analyzing genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic data to identify drug targets and guide development.

You will apply ML and statistical modeling while collaborating with scientists worldwide. The ideal candidate has a PhD and at least 6 years of relevant experience, strong Python/R skills, and a track record in pharma research.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a quantitative field.
• Minimum 6 years post-PhD experience in computational biology or pharma.
• Strong Python/R programming and ML foundations.
• Experience with biological databases and bioinformatics tools.
• Experience with cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP) and containers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and deliver on timelines.
• Ability to translate complex biology into computable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design computational strategies for large-scale biological data analysis (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Identify and validate drug targets by integrating diverse data sources.
• Develop ML models to predict drug efficacy and safety.
• Collaborate with chemists, biologists, clinicians in a remote setting to guide discovery.
• Build bioinformatics pipelines and data management systems.
• Communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to strategic direction of computational biology efforts.
• Stay updated on advances in computational biology and cheminformatics.
• Mentor junior computational biologists.

Skills

Python

R

Machine learning

Bioinformatics

Cloud computing

Docker

Singularity

Communication

Independent work

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Biology or related field

Tools

Ensembl

NCBI

ChEMBL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of therapeutic innovation, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Computational Biologist to join their fully remote drug discovery team. This is a critical role where you will leverage advanced computational and statistical methods to analyze complex biological datasets, identify novel drug targets, and contribute to the design of innovative therapeutic strategies. Working remotely allows you to collaborate seamlessly with a global team of scientists, leveraging cutting-edge tools and platforms from the comfort of your home office. You will play a key role in interpreting genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic data to drive the preclinical and clinical development of life-saving medicines. If you are passionate about using data to transform healthcare and thrive in a remote-first environment, this opportunity is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement sophisticated computational strategies for the analysis of large-scale biological data, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and high-throughput screening data.
• Identify and validate novel drug targets and pathways through the integration and analysis of diverse data sources.
• Develop and apply machine learning algorithms and statistical models to predict drug efficacy, toxicity, and patient response.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and clinicians in a remote setting to guide drug discovery programs.
• Build and maintain robust bioinformatics pipelines and databases for data management and analysis.
• Effectively communicate complex findings and insights to both technical and non-technical audiences through presentations and written reports.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of computational biology efforts within the organization.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics, cheminformatics, and drug discovery technologies.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence and innovation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in computational biology, with a strong focus on drug discovery or pharmaceutical research.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python (with libraries like Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn) and R.
• Proven experience with biological databases (e.g., Ensembl, NCBI, ChEMBL) and bioinformatics tools.
• Strong understanding of machine learning techniques, statistical modeling, and data mining.
• Experience with cloud computing environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Singularity).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team environment.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and deliver high-quality results within project timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex biological problems into computational solutions.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent health insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. As a fully remote position, you gain unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance. We provide a dedicated home office stipend and support for professional development, including virtual conferences and online courses. Our client is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive remote workforce, offering equal opportunities for all. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and scientific rigor, enabling you to make a significant impact on global health from anywhere.