Senior Biochemist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

Professional development & conference

State-of-the-art facility

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng, seeks a Senior Biochemist to join our Drug Discovery team. You will identify and validate novel drug targets, elucidate biochemical pathways, and contribute to HTS assay development. Hybrid lab work is required.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in Biochemistry or related field with 5+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience in drug discovery and strong data analysis, communication, and teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of postdoctoral or relevant industry experience in drug discovery.
• Extensive assay development and validation experience for biochemical targets.
• Proficiency in HTS, enzyme kinetics and biophysical characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate biochemical and cellular assays for target ID/validation.
• Perform high-throughput screening campaigns and interpret results.
• Characterize mechanisms of action for small molecules.
• Investigate enzyme kinetics and protein–protein interactions.
• Collaborate with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to advance projects.
• Analyze data and present findings to project teams.
• Contribute to publications and conferences; maintain lab records.

Skills

Biochemistry expertise

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD in Biochemistry or related field

Tools

HTS instrumentation

Biophysical characterization

Protein purification equipment

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent pharmaceutical research institute located in Randburg, Gauteng, is seeking a Senior Biochemist to join their dedicated Drug Discovery team. This role is essential for identifying and validating novel drug targets and elucidating complex biochemical pathways relevant to various diseases. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of protein biochemistry, enzyme kinetics, and molecular biology, with a proven track record in assay development and execution for high-throughput screening (HTS). You will contribute significantly to the early-stage pipeline, driving innovation from our Randburg research center. This position requires a balance of laboratory-based research and collaborative project work.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate biochemical and cellular assays for drug target identification and validation.
• Perform and interpret results from high-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns.
• Characterize the mechanism of action for small molecule inhibitors and modulators.
• Investigate enzyme kinetics and protein-protein interactions.
• Utilize biochemical and biophysical techniques for protein characterization.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Analyze and interpret complex experimental data, presenting findings clearly to project teams.
• Contribute to scientific publications and present research at conferences.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure compliance with safety protocols.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in biochemistry and drug discovery.

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 5 years of postdoctoral or relevant industry experience in drug discovery.
• Extensive experience in assay development and validation for biochemical targets.
• Proficiency in HTS, enzyme kinetics, and biophysical characterization techniques.
• Strong understanding of protein expression, purification, and analysis.
• Experience with cell-based assays is a plus.
• Excellent data analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Willingness to work in a hybrid capacity, including on-site laboratory work in Randburg, Gauteng.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional development, including conference attendance and continuous training, are available.
• You will work in a state-of-the-art facility in Randburg, collaborating with a team of leading scientists.
• This hybrid role offers flexibility while ensuring crucial contributions to cutting-edge drug discovery efforts.