Senior Immunologist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Collaborative research environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Immunologist to lead the Drug Discovery immunology team in Polokwane. The role emphasizes designing complex immunological studies, validating drug targets, and collaborating with chemists and pharmacologists to advance candidates.

The successful candidate will manage in-vitro/in-vivo projects, leverage flow cytometry and ELISpot, and mentor junior scientists in a fast-paced research environment in Polokwane.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, or related life science field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in immunology research.
• Extensive experience with human and animal immunology, including innate and adaptive immunity.
• Proficiency in a broad range of immunological techniques (flow cytometry, ELISA, western blotting, cell-based assays).
• Demonstrated experience in drug discovery or translational research is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct in-vitro and in-vivo studies to investigate immune responses and mechanisms of disease.
• Develop and optimize assays for screening immunomodulatory compounds and identifying drug targets.
• Characterize immune cell populations and cytokine profiles using flow cytometry, ELISpot, and other immunological techniques.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists and pharmacologists to advance drug candidates through the discovery pipeline.
• Interpret complex immunological data and contribute to research reports, publications, and presentations.
• Mentor junior scientists and provide technical expertise to the immunology group.

Skills

Immunology

Molecular biology

Flow cytometry

ELISA

Translational research

Education

PhD in Immunology or Molecular Biology

Tools

Flow cytometry

ELISA

Western blotting

Cell-based assays

Job description

Our client is looking for an accomplished Senior Immunologist to join their dynamic Drug Discovery team in Polokwane . This role is central to developing novel immunomodulatory therapies for a range of diseases. You will lead cutting-edge research projects, design and execute complex immunological assays, and contribute to the identification and validation of new drug targets. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced immunologist to make a substantial impact on therapeutic innovation, working within a research-focused environment that values collaboration, scientific rigor, and a passion for improving patient lives, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries from our Polokwane base.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct in-vitro and in-vivo studies to investigate immune responses and mechanisms of disease.
• Develop and optimize assays for screening immunomodulatory compounds and identifying drug targets.
• Characterize immune cell populations and cytokine profiles using flow cytometry, ELISpot, and other immunological techniques.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists and pharmacologists to advance drug candidates through the discovery pipeline.
• Interpret complex immunological data and contribute to research reports, publications, and presentations.
• Mentor junior scientists and provide technical expertise to the immunology group.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology , Molecular Biology, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in immunology research.
• Extensive experience with human and animal immunology, including innate and adaptive immunity.
• Proficiency in a broad range of immunological techniques (flow cytometry, ELISA, western blotting, cell-based assays).
• Demonstrated experience in drug discovery or translational research is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Support for professional development, including conference attendance and training.
• A collaborative and innovative research environment focused on making a difference in Polokwane .