Research Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and performance‑dr​

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Pension fund and retirement savings

Generous paid time off and holidays

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Research Scientist to join their Drug Discovery team in Polokwane. You will design and execute biochemical and cell-based assays for target validation and contribute to the early-stage identification of novel therapeutics.

This hybrid role blends laboratory work with remote analysis and reporting, offering collaboration with chemists and pharmacologists, data interpretation, and opportunities to publish findings.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related life sciences.
• Minimum of 3 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in drug discovery.
• Experience with various assay technologies and readouts.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery and target validation.
• Proficiency in data analysis and GraphPad Prism.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize biochemical and cell-based assays for target validation and screening.
• Conduct HTS campaigns and analyze results to identify hit compounds.
• Perform secondary assays to characterize potency, selectivity, and mechanism of action.
• Interpret experimental data and present findings to the research team.
• Maintain detailed records and contribute to publications and reports.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists.

Skills

Data analysis

Teamwork

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry

Tools

GraphPad Prism

HTS platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Research Scientist to join their Drug Discovery team in Polokwane . This role is integral to the early-stage identification and validation of novel therapeutic targets. You will be involved in designing and executing biochemical and cellular assays, evaluating potential drug candidates, and contributing to the advancement of our client's pipeline. Working within a collaborative R&D environment, you will leverage your scientific expertise to contribute to the development of life-changing medicines. This hybrid position offers the opportunity to blend laboratory work with some remote analysis and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize biochemical and cell-based assays for target validation and compound screening.
• Conduct high-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns and analyze results to identify hit compounds.
• Perform secondary assays to characterize the potency, selectivity, and mechanism of action of lead compounds.
• Contribute to the interpretation of experimental data and present findings to the research team.
• Maintain detailed experimental records and contribute to scientific publications and reports.
• Collaborate effectively with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in drug discovery or a related field.
• Proven experience with various assay technologies and readout formats.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery principles and target validation strategies.
• Proficiency in data analysis and relevant software (e.g., GraphPad Prism).
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Pension fund and retirement savings plan.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility.