Senior Molecular Biology Lead — Gene Therapy & Diagnostics

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary and annual-bon

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Professional growth and conference参与

Generous paid time off

State-of-the-art research facilities

Wellness programs

Career advancement opportunities

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 partners with a renowned biopharmaceutical company in Sandton to hire a Principal Research Scientist in Molecular Biology. The role leads critical research initiatives, shaping the future of molecular medicine and gene therapy.

You will guide a team, design and execute complex projects, and mentor junior staff. A PhD and 10+ years of experience are required, with strong publication or grant experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or related field.
• At least 10 years post-doctoral/industrial research leading projects.
• Hands-on experience with PCR, qPCR, cloning, Western blot, and cell-based assays.
• Proven ability to mentor and manage junior scientists and staff.
• Strong scientific communication; grant writing or patents a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of groundbreaking research projects in molecular biology (gene editing, gene therapy vectors, RNA therapeutics).
• Develop and optimize novel molecular assays for research and diagnostic applications.
• Supervise and mentor a team of research scientists and technicians.
• Analyze experimental data and make strategic recommendations for future directions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance projects.
• Stay updated with literature and emerging technologies in molecular biology.
• Prepare reports, grant proposals, and manuscripts for publication.
• Manage laboratory resources, budgets, and equipment at the Sandton facility.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and ethical guidelines.

Skills

Molecular biology

CRISPR-Cas9

qPCR

Cloning

Western blot

Cell-based assays

Mentoring

Grant writing

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or related life science

Job description

Placements24 partners with a renowned biopharmaceutical company in Sandton to hire a Principal Research Scientist in Molecular Biology. The role leads critical research initiatives, shaping the future of molecular medicine and gene therapy.

You will guide a team, design and execute complex projects, and mentor junior staff. A PhD and 10+ years of experience are required, with strong publication or grant experience preferred.