Research Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Professional development support

Conference sponsorships

Cutting-edge facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Research Scientist in Vereeniging to join its Drug Discovery team. The role focuses on identifying and validating novel targets, advancing lead compounds, and performing a range of biochemical and cellular assays for efficacy and safety.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a life sciences field with hands-on experience in assay development and compound screening, and brings strong collaboration skills to work with medicinal chemists and pharmacologists in a cutting-edge

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related life science discipline.
• Post-doctoral or industry experience in drug discovery research (minimum 4 years).
• Hands-on assay development and compound screening experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate biochemical and cellular assays for target validation and drug screening.
• Execute HTS campaigns and analyze results to identify hit compounds.
• Conduct dose-response, mechanism of action, and preliminary PK assessments.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and pharmacologists to optimize lead compounds.
• Prepare detailed experimental reports and present findings to project teams.

Skills

Assay development

Compound screening

Data analysis

Enzyme kinetics

Western blotting

Reporter gene assays

Education

PhD in Pharmacology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

Tools

Western blotting

Enzyme kinetics

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented and driven Research Scientist to join their innovative Drug Discovery team in Vereeniging . This role is crucial for identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets and advancing lead compounds through the preclinical pipeline. You will work in a state-of-the-art laboratory, employing a range of biochemical and cellular assays to assess drug efficacy and safety. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in pharmacology or a related field, with hands-on experience in assay development and compound screening. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of life-saving medicines and advance your career in pharmaceutical R&D within our Vereeniging facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate biochemical and cellular assays for target validation and drug screening.
• Execute high-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns and analyze results to identify hit compounds.
• Conduct dose-response studies, mechanism of action studies, and preliminary pharmacokinetic assessments.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists and pharmacologists to optimize lead compounds.
• Prepare detailed experimental reports, present findings to project teams, and contribute to scientific publications.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Requirements

• PhD in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related life science discipline.
• A minimum of 4 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in drug discovery research.
• Proven expertise in assay development (biochemical and cell-based), compound screening, and data analysis.
• Hands-on experience with relevant laboratory techniques such as enzyme kinetics, Western blotting, and reporter gene assays.
• Strong understanding of target validation and preclinical drug development processes.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary with performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan and life insurance.
• Generous support for professional development and scientific conferences.
• Access to cutting-edge drug discovery technologies and facilities in Vereeniging .
• A dynamic and collaborative work culture focused on innovation.