Senior Microbiologist - Pharmaceutical Research

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and wellness benefits

Professional development

State-of-the-art microbiology lab

Career growth in Durban

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks an experienced Senior Microbiologist to join its Pharmaceutical Research division. You will design and lead microbiological studies, contribute to antimicrobial development, and work with chemists and pharmacologists to ensure microbial safety of products.

The role emphasizes drug discovery, microbial testing, and collaboration in a research-intensive environment in Durban, with a strong focus on scientific excellence and global health outcomes.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Microbiology or related life science field.
• Minimum 6 years of research experience in pharmaceutical/biotech settings.
• Extensive knowledge of bacterial physiology, genetics and resistance mechanisms.
• Proficiency in advanced microbiological techniques including molecular methods and sterile culture.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct complex microbiological studies in pharma settings.
• Investigate microbial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
• Develop and validate methods for detecting and quantifying microorganisms in formulations.
• Lead research on development of novel antibacterial or antifungal agents.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists to assess microbiological stability of drug products.
• Prepare research reports, contribute to regulatory submissions and present findings at meetings.

Skills

Microbiology

Molecular biology

Research methodology

Sterile techniques

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology

Tools

Molecular methods

Sterile culture techniques

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Microbiologist to join their dedicated Pharmaceutical Research division in Durban . This critical role focuses on investigating microbial interactions, developing novel antimicrobial strategies, and ensuring the microbial safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. You will lead research projects, contribute to the design of new drug candidates, and collaborate with cross-functional teams including chemists and pharmacologists. This position offers a unique chance to contribute to significant advancements in infectious disease research and pharmaceutical development within a supportive and research-intensive environment in Durban , promoting scientific excellence and a commitment to improving global health outcomes through innovative pharmaceutical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct complex microbiological studies, including bacterial cultivation, identification, and susceptibility testing.
• Investigate microbial pathogenesis and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance.
• Develop and validate new methods for detecting and quantifying microorganisms in pharmaceutical formulations.
• Lead research efforts on the development of novel antibacterial or antifungal agents.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists to assess the microbiological stability of drug products.
• Prepare detailed research reports, contribute to regulatory submissions, and present findings at scientific meetings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology , Molecular Biology, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of research experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting.
• Extensive knowledge of bacterial physiology, genetics, and resistance mechanisms.
• Proficiency in advanced microbiological techniques, including molecular methods and sterile culture techniques.
• Experience with drug discovery or development processes is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Support for continuing education and professional development.
• Access to state-of-the-
• microbiology laboratory facilities.
• A dynamic research environment with opportunities for career growth in Durban .