Senior Drug Discovery Scientist - Target ID & HTS Lead

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a Senior Scientist to lead drug discovery at their state-of-the-art facility. You will design and execute discovery programs, identify targets, and advance lead compounds toward preclinical development.

The role involves HTS assay development, in vitro/in vivo studies, and collaboration with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and DMPK scientists. Mentoring junior staff and contributing to reports and publications are expected.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related life science discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery and development.
• Proven expertise in assay development, HTS, and lead optimization methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of discovery research projects focusing on target identification and validation.
• Develop and optimize high-throughput screening (HTS) assays and lead optimization strategies.
• Conduct in vitro and in vivo studies to characterize drug candidates and assess efficacy and safety.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and DMPK scientists.
• Analyze and interpret complex data, presenting findings and recommendations to teams and management.
• Contribute to research reports, regulatory submissions, and scientific publications.

Skills

Assay development

HTS

Lead optimization

PK/PD understanding

Mentoring

Communication

Education

PhD in Pharmacology

Biochemistry

Molecular Biology

Tools

HTS platforms

Job description

Placements24 in Durban seeks a Senior Scientist to lead drug discovery at their state-of-the-art facility. You will design and execute discovery programs, identify targets, and advance lead compounds toward preclinical development.

The role involves HTS assay development, in vitro/in vivo studies, and collaboration with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and DMPK scientists. Mentoring junior staff and contributing to reports and publications are expected.