Senior Biochemist - Pharmaceutical R&D

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits package

401k retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Biochemist to lead biochemical assay development and disease mechanism studies in drug discovery projects. The role requires hands-on leadership in a fast-paced lab and collaboration with chemists, pharmacologists, and researchers.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology with at least six years of post-doctoral experience in pharma/biotech, plus proven protein purification and HTS assay capabilities.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of post-doctoral research experience in pharma/biotech.
• Proven expertise in protein purification, enzyme kinetics, and biochemical assays.
• HTS assay development experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct biochemical and enzymatic assays to characterize drug candidates and targets.
• Develop and optimize biochemical assays for high-throughput screening (HTS).
• Investigate disease mechanisms at the molecular and cellular level.
• Purify and characterize proteins and other biomolecules.
• Design and interpret experiments to assess the efficacy and mechanism of action of potential therapeutics.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and other scientists.
• Analyze and present experimental data in project team meetings and scientific forums.
• Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication and regulatory submissions.

Skills

Protein purification

Enzyme kinetics

Biochemical assay development

HTS assay development

Molecular biology

Data analysis

Written and oral communication

Education

PhD in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology

Tools

GraphPad Prism

Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a prominent pharmaceutical research and development company dedicated to discovering and developing life-changing therapies. We are seeking an experienced Senior Biochemist to join our dedicated team in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**. This role will focus on elucidating biochemical pathways, identifying novel drug targets, and developing innovative assays for drug discovery programs. The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing our pipeline of therapeutic candidates, working collaboratively within our state-of-the‑art research facilities. This is a hands-on laboratory position that requires a deep understanding of biochemical principles and extensive experience in experimental design and execution. We are committed to excellence in pharmaceutical innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct biochemical and enzymatic assays to characterize drug candidates and targets.
• Develop and optimize biochemical assays for high-throughput screening (HTS).
• Investigate disease mechanisms at the molecular and cellular level.
• Purify and characterize proteins and other biomolecules.
• Design and interpret experiments to assess the efficacy and mechanism of action of potential therapeutics.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and other scientists.
• Analyze and present experimental data in project team meetings and scientific forums.
• Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication and regulatory submissions.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral research experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven expertise in protein purification, enzyme kinetics, and biochemical assay development.
• Experience with HTS assay development and implementation.
• Strong understanding of molecular and cellular biology.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, Excel).
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative laboratory environment in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits package, and a 401k retirement plan.
• Employees will have access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities and resources in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**.
• Opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and attendance at scientific conferences are provided.
• Generous paid time off and a supportive work environment are integral to our offering.