Senior Molecular Biologist: Lead Cutting-Edge Assay Dev

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical aid

retirement contributions

Professional advancement opportunities

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a biotechnology leader in Soweto to recruit a Senior Molecular Biologist who will drive assay development for diagnostic and research applications. You will design and optimize PCR/qPCR/ddPCR‑based assays, oversee validation, and mentor a growing team in a state‑of‑the‑art lab.

The role emphasizes collaboration with bioinformaticians and clinical scientists, ensuring regulatory compliance and documenting procedures thoroughly.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in molecular biology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of post‑doc or industry experience in assay development.
• Hands-on experience with PCR, qPCR and ddPCR.
• Experience with NGS library prep workflows and analysis is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of molecular biology principles and regulatory awareness (CLIA/ISO).

Responsibilities

• Design and develop novel molecular assays using PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, isothermal amplification, and NGS.
• Optimize assay performance for sensitivity, specificity, robustness, and reproducibility.
• Validate molecular assays according to applicable guidelines and quality standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during assay development and validation.
• Characterize and implement new molecular biology technologies and reagents.
• Collaborate with upstream and downstream teams to ensure assay integration.
• Prepare detailed documentation, including experimental protocols and validation reports.
• Stay current with scientific literature and advancements in molecular biology.
• Mentor junior molecular biologists and contribute to team development.
• Ensure compliance with lab safety procedures and regulatory requirements at Soweto site.

Skills

PCR

qPCR

ddPCR

Bioinformatics

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or related field

Tools

NGS library preparation

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

Placements24 is partnering with a biotechnology leader in Soweto to recruit a Senior Molecular Biologist who will drive assay development for diagnostic and research applications. You will design and optimize PCR/qPCR/ddPCR‑based assays, oversee validation, and mentor a growing team in a state‑of‑the‑art lab.

The role emphasizes collaboration with bioinformaticians and clinical scientists, ensuring regulatory compliance and documenting procedures thoroughly.