Senior Biochemist - Enzyme Engineering & Biocatalysis

Placements24; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Career development opportunities

Advanced research facility

Job summary

Placements24 in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, seeks a Senior Biochemist with enzyme engineering and biocatalysis expertise to lead R&D projects focused on sustainable industrial enzymes. You will design experiments, characterize kinetics, and drive biocatalytic process development.

The role requires a PhD and 5+ years of related experience; strong protein science and data analysis skills are essential. Join a collaborative team at our advanced facility.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or related field with enzymology focus.
• Minimum 5 years post-PhD in enzyme engineering and biocatalysis.
• Experience designing enzyme engineering strategies (site-directed mutagenesis, directed evolution).
• Hands-on enzyme purification, characterization (kinetics, stability), and assay development.
• Strong protein science knowledge and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute enzyme engineering experiments including directed evolution.
• Characterize enzyme kinetics, stability, and substrate specificity.
• Develop and optimize biocatalytic processes for fine chemicals and pharma.
• Purify and analyze enzymes using chromatographic methods.
• Utilize structural biology insights and computational tools to guide design.
• Collaborate with chemists, microbiologists, and engineers to integrate steps.
• Troubleshoot biochemical and process-related challenges.
• Maintain lab records and prepare technical reports and presentations.
• Mentor junior researchers and foster scientific excellence.

Skills

Enzyme engineering

Biocatalysis

Directed evolution

Site-directed mutagenesis

Enzyme purification

Kinetics & stability

Protein structure-function

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Presentation skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Bioinformatics tools

Bioprocessing

Education

PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Chromatography

Structural biology software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated Senior Biochemist with expertise in Enzyme Engineering and Biocatalysis to join their Research & Development team in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This role is critical for designing and developing novel enzymatic solutions for industrial applications, focusing on enhancing enzyme activity, stability, and specificity. You will lead projects, conduct in-depth biochemical analyses, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to drive innovation in sustainable chemical synthesis and biotechnology. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of enzyme kinetics, protein structure-function relationships, and hands‑on experience with enzyme characterization and engineering techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments for enzyme engineering, directed evolution, and protein modification to improve enzyme performance for industrial applications.
• Characterize enzyme kinetics, stability, and substrate specificity using a range of biochemical and biophysical techniques.
• Develop and optimize biocatalytic processes for the synthesis of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or biomaterials.
• Purify and analyze enzymes using chromatographic and electrophoretic methods.
• Utilize structural biology insights and computational tools to guide enzyme engineering strategies.
• Collaborate with chemists, microbiologists, and engineers to integrate enzymatic steps into larger production processes.
• Troubleshoot complex biochemical and process-related challenges.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory records and prepare detailed technical reports and presentations.
• Stay abreast of the latest research in enzyme engineering, biocatalysis, and related fields.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence and innovation.

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on enzymology or protein engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of post‑doctoral and/or industry experience in enzyme engineering and biocatalysis.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing enzyme engineering strategies (e.g., site-directed mutagenesis, directed evolution).
• Extensive hands-on experience with enzyme purification, characterization (kinetics, stability), and assay development.
• Strong understanding of protein structure-function relationships and enzyme mechanisms.
• Familiarity with industrial biotechnology processes and bioprocessing is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to research.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience with bioinformatics tools for protein analysis is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health insurance, retirement savings plan, and significant opportunities for professional development.
• This role is situated at our advanced research facility in Queenstown, Eastern Cape.
• We foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages scientific exploration and career growth.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and continuous learning initiatives ensures our team remains at the cutting edge of biochemical research.