Senior Biophysicist: MD Simulations for Discovery (Hybrid)

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Annual leave

Professional development

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Biophysicist in Johannesburg to lead molecular dynamics studies of protein systems relevant to drug design. You will design, execute and analyze large MD simulations, optimize protocols and mentor junior researchers in a collaborative, HPC-enabled environment.

The role blends on-site teamwork with remote flexibility, offering opportunities to publish and contribute to cutting-edge biophysics research.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biophysics, Computational Chemistry, Physics, or a related field with a strong focus on molecular simulations.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in performing and analyzing molecular dynamics simulations using software packages such as GROMACS, AMBER, or NAMD.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) for automation and data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Strong understanding of statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and molecular modeling principles.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to critically evaluate complex datasets.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present scientific concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement advanced molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate biological systems.
• Develop and optimize simulation protocols and ensure accuracy of results.
• Analyze large-scale trajectories and develop novel analysis techniques.
• Interpret data and present findings to multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with experimental scientists to guide research strategies.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to scientific output.
• Stay abreast of advancements in computational biophysics and software development.

Skills

Molecular dynamics

Python scripting

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Biophysics or related field

Tools

GROMACS

AMBER

NAMD

High-performance computing

Job description

Placements24 seeks a Senior Biophysicist in Johannesburg to lead molecular dynamics studies of protein systems relevant to drug design. You will design, execute and analyze large MD simulations, optimize protocols and mentor junior researchers in a collaborative, HPC-enabled environment.

The role blends on-site teamwork with remote flexibility, offering opportunities to publish and contribute to cutting-edge biophysics research.