Senior Biophysicist

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Flexible work arrangements

Professional development

Access to advanced instrumentation

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Biophysicist to join its Bloemfontein R&D team and lead advanced biophysical research programs focused on disease-relevant macromolecules.

You will design and execute experiments, interpret complex data, and collaborate with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to drive therapeutic development. Excellent communication and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years post-PhD research experience.
• Hands-on experience with biophysical characterization techniques.
• Proficiency in data analysis and modeling related to biophysics.
• Strong protein chemistry and molecular biology knowledge.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute biophysical experiments using X-ray crystallography, NMR, SPR, and calorimetry.
• Characterize structure-function relationships of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules.
• Develop novel biophysical assays to support drug discovery.
• Analyze and interpret complex biophysical data, often involving large datasets.
• Collaborate with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to integrate findings into project strategies.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the scientific direction of the biophysics group.

Skills

Biophysics

Data analysis

Modeling

Communication

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Biophysics

Tools

X-ray crystallography

NMR

SPR

Calorimetry

Biophysical data analysis software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Biophysicist to join their innovative research team in Bloemfontein. This role will focus on employing advanced biophysical techniques to elucidate the structure, function, and interactions of biological macromolecules relevant to disease. You will lead research projects, design and conduct complex experiments, and interpret findings to guide therapeutic development. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of biophysical principles, hands-on experience with various biophysical methods, and a passion for applying this knowledge to solve critical challenges in biological science and medicine.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute sophisticated biophysical experiments using techniques such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, SPR, and calorimetry.
• Characterize the structure-function relationships of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules.
• Develop novel biophysical assays to support drug discovery and development efforts.
• Analyze and interpret complex biophysical data, often involving large datasets.
• Collaborate with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to integrate biophysical findings into project strategies.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the scientific direction of the biophysics group.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant post-doctoral or industry research experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience with a range of biophysical characterization techniques.
• Proficiency in data analysis and modeling relevant to biophysical studies.
• Strong understanding of protein chemistry and molecular biology.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, essential for a role in Bloemfontein.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance package.
• Flexible work arrangements supporting remote collaboration.
• Support for professional development, including attending scientific conferences and workshops.
• Access to state-of-the-art biophysical instrumentation and a collaborative research environment.