Senior Biochemist - Enzyme Engineering

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health coverage (medical, dental,視on)

Paid time off

Professional growth

Access to advanced labs

Job summary

Placements24 in Soweto is seeking a Senior Biochemist with expertise in enzyme engineering to join a dedicated research team. You will design, construct, and test engineered enzymes with enhanced properties for diverse industrial applications.

You will work in a cutting-edge laboratory, collaborating with multidisciplinary scientists to advance biotechnological innovation and contribute to the company’s product pipeline.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related field.
• 5+ years of postgraduate research in protein/enzyme engineering.
• Expertise in protein expression (e.g., E. coli, yeast), purification and characterization.
• Hands-on molecular biology for enzyme modification.
• Strong understanding of enzyme kinetics, catalysis, and structure–function relationships.
• Excellent problem-solving and teamwork in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Design protein engineering strategies to improve activity, stability, and specificity.
• Molecular biology for cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and expression.
• Develop high-throughput screening methods for enzyme characterization.
• Biochemical assays to quantify kinetics, substrate specificity, and product formation.
• Analyze data and propose next steps based on results.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to integrate engineered enzymes into new processes.

Skills

Protein expression

Purification

Characterization

Molecular biology

Gene cloning

Site-directed mutagenesis

Enzyme kinetics

Protein engineering

Teamwork

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented and innovative Senior Biochemist with expertise in Enzyme Engineering to join their dedicated research team in Soweto . This role is integral to developing novel enzymatic solutions for various industrial applications. You will be involved in designing, constructing, and testing engineered enzymes with enhanced properties, contributing significantly to the company's product pipeline and scientific advancements. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to work in a cutting-edge laboratory environment, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and make a tangible impact on biotechnological innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute protein engineering strategies to improve enzyme activity, stability, and specificity.
• Utilize molecular biology techniques for gene cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and protein expression.
• Develop and optimize high-throughput screening methods for enzyme characterization.
• Perform biochemical assays to quantify enzyme kinetics, substrate specificity, and product formation.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, drawing conclusions and proposing next steps.
• Collaborate with other scientists and engineers to integrate engineered enzymes into new processes.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry , Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of postgraduate research experience in protein or enzyme engineering.
• Proven expertise in protein expression (e.g., E. coli, yeast), purification, and characterization techniques.
• Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques for enzyme modification.
• Strong understanding of enzyme kinetics, catalysis, and protein structure-function relationships.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance bonus.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• Access to advanced laboratory facilities and equipment in Soweto .