Senior Bio-Chemist for Novel Drug Discovery

Placements24; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Fitness center

Relocation assistance

Bonuses

Leadership opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Bio-Chemist for its client, a leading biotechnology firm, to lead early-stage drug discovery at our Midrand, Gauteng site. You will design biochemical assays, guide SAR studies, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

The role emphasizes independent initiative, rigorous data analysis, and mentoring junior scientists, with a blend of on-site work and remote flexibility to support productivity and work-life balance.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5–7 years of post-doctoral research in pharma/biotech.
• Expertise in enzyme kinetics, protein purification, and assay development.
• Strong grasp of drug discovery and medicinal chemistry principles.
• Proficient in data analysis (GraphPad Prism, R) and statistics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present complex findings.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute biochemical experiments to identify/validate drug targets.
• Develop and optimize biochemical and enzymatic assays for HTS.
• Characterize binding kinetics and functional activity of candidates.
• Analyze data and present findings to research teams and stakeholders.
• Contribute to IP through patents/publications.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists on SAR studies of leads.
• Mentor junior scientists and guide R&D direction.
• Ensure safety compliance and maintain detailed records.

Skills

Biochemistry

Molecular Biology

Enzyme Kinetics

Protein Purification

Biochemical Assays

Drug Discovery

Data Analysis

Scientific Communication

Team Leadership

Education

PhD in Biochemistry or related field

Tools

GraphPad Prism

R

Mass Spectrometry

Chromatography

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biotechnology firm, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Bio-Chemist to join their dynamic Research and Development team in Midrand, Gauteng . This pivotal role involves spearheading groundbreaking research into novel therapeutic targets and developing innovative biochemical assays. You will be instrumental in driving the early-stage drug discovery pipeline, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams including molecular biologists, pharmacologists, and computational scientists. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of biochemical pathways and a proven track record in medicinal chemistry or a related field. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on future pharmaceutical advancements within a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. The role offers a blend of on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing for optimal productivity and work-life balance. You will have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and cutting-edge research technologies. The position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a passion for scientific inquiry, contributing directly to the company's mission of developing life-saving treatments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex biochemical experiments to identify and validate novel drug targets.
• Develop and optimize biochemical and enzymatic assays for high-throughput screening.
• Characterize the binding kinetics and functional activity of potential drug candidates.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, presenting findings to internal research teams and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio through patent applications and scientific publications.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists to guide the structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of lead compounds.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the overall scientific direction of the R&D department.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and laboratory best practices in Midrand, Gauteng .
• Maintain detailed records of experiments and results in accordance with industry standards.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of post-doctoral research experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in enzyme kinetics, protein purification, and biochemical assay development.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery processes and medicinal chemistry principles.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R) and experience with statistical analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex scientific information clearly.
• Experience with various biochemical techniques, including spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• A proactive and results-oriented mindset with a commitment to scientific rigor.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a generous retirement savings plan.
• Employees also benefit from paid time off, opportunities for professional development and continuing education, and access to a fitness center.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
• The working environment is highly collaborative and encourages innovation.
• Performance-based bonuses are also part of the compensation structure.
• Professional growth opportunities are abundant, with pathways to leadership roles.