Senior Metabolic Engineer — Hybrid R&D Leader

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Performance incentive

Professional development

Hybrid role

State-of-the-art facility access

Conference attendance support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Synthetic Biologist to lead metabolic engineering research in Centurion, Gauteng. You will design and construct genetic circuits and pathways to produce high-value chemicals in microbial hosts.

You'll guide experimental strategies, analyze omics data, optimize fermentation, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate across disciplines to push sustainable biotech innovations.

Qualifications

• PhD in Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years hands-on metabolism engineering and synthetic biology post-PhD.
• Proven track record designing and testing genetic constructs and engineered pathways.
• Experience with common microbial hosts (E. coli, S. cerevisiae) and genetic manipulation.
• Familiarity with omics data analysis and systems biology approaches.
• Experience with fermentation scale-up and bioprocess optimization is desirable.
• Strong data analysis, interpretation, and scientific writing.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct novel genetic circuits and metabolic pathways in microbial hosts for production of target compounds.
• Utilize DNA synthesis, assembly, and editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) for pathway engineering.
• Develop and optimize fermentation and bioprocessing strategies to maximize product yields.
• Apply systems biology approaches, including omics data analysis, to guide strain engineering.
• Implement high-throughput screening and selection methods for improved strains.
• Collaborate with chemists, engineers, and computational biologists to integrate insights with process development.
• Troubleshoot complex biological and engineering challenges and propose solutions.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to lab culture.
• Maintain records, prepare technical reports, and contribute to publications.

Skills

Genetic design

Metabolic engineering

Systems biology

Data analysis

Scientific writing

High-throughput screening

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Synthetic Biology or related field

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Synthetic Biologist to lead metabolic engineering research in Centurion, Gauteng. You will design and construct genetic circuits and pathways to produce high-value chemicals in microbial hosts.

You'll guide experimental strategies, analyze omics data, optimize fermentation, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate across disciplines to push sustainable biotech innovations.