Research Scientist - Biotechnology Process Development

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement planning

Professional development

Biotech innovations

Job summary

Placements24 in Soweto seeks a Research Scientist to lead biotechnology process development for biologics production. You will design and optimize cell culture, fermentation, and downstream processes, and contribute to technology transfer and scale-up.

The ideal candidate holds MSc or PhD in a related field with 3–5 years of hands-on biotech experience, GMP awareness, and strong data analysis skills to drive regulatory submissions and cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Biotechnology, BiochemicalEngineering, Molecular Biology, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in biotechnology process development, preferably in biopharmaceuticals.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, fermentation, or protein purification.
• Understanding of process scale-up and technology transfer.
• Proficiency in data analysis and regulatory GMP requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to optimize cell culture and fermentation for biologics.
• Develop downstream processing strategies including purification and formulation.
• Analyze process data, identify parameters for improvement, document results.
• Troubleshoot process issues and support product quality and yield.
• Collaborate with upstream/downstream teams for scale-up and tech transfer.
• Document procedures and conclusions for regulatory submissions and knowledge transfer.

Skills

Cell culture

Fermentation

Downstream processing

Data analysis

GMP knowledge

Education

MSc or PhD in Biotechnology or related field

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Research Scientist with a focus on Biotechnology Process Development to join their dynamic team in Soweto . This role is integral to optimizing and scaling up biological processes for the production of therapeutic proteins and other biologics. You will be responsible for designing, executing, and analyzing experiments related to cell culture, fermentation, and downstream processing. This is a prime opportunity for a motivated scientist to contribute to the advancement of biopharmaceutical manufacturing and make a tangible impact on the development of life-changing therapies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to optimize cell culture and fermentation processes for biologics production.
• Develop and implement downstream processing strategies, including purification and formulation techniques.
• Analyze process data, interpret results, and identify key parameters for process improvement.
• Troubleshoot process-related issues and implement solutions to ensure product quality and yield.
• Collaborate with upstream and downstream teams to ensure seamless process integration and scale-up.
• Document experimental procedures, results, and conclusions comprehensively for regulatory submissions and internal knowledge transfer.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in biotechnology process development , preferably in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, microbial fermentation, or protein purification techniques.
• Understanding of process scale-up principles and technology transfer.
• Proficiency in data analysis and statistical software.
• Strong understanding of GMP principles and regulatory requirements for biopharmaceuticals.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical aid and retirement planning.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning in bioprocessing.
• Exposure to cutting-edge biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.
• A collaborative and dynamic research environment in Soweto , focused on innovation in biotechnology.
• Support for career advancement within a growing scientific organization.