Senior Pharmaceutical Biochemist

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Advanced laboratory facilities

Opportunities for publication

Patent contributions

Professional growth

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton invites applications for a Senior Pharmaceutical Biochemist to lead critical R&D activities, driving drug discovery and development in a state-of-the-art facility.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Biochemistry or related field with at least 6 years post‑doctoral experience in pharma R&D, expertise in enzyme kinetics, protein purification, and structural biology, and a track record in target validation and HTS assay development.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral research experience in the pharmaceutical industry or a related R&D setting.
• Expertise in enzyme kinetics, protein purification, and structural biology.
• Proven experience in drug discovery, target validation, and assay development.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data analysis software.
• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex biochemical assays and experiments to support drug discovery and development projects.
• Analyze and interpret biochemical data, providing insights and recommendations for further research.
• Investigate molecular mechanisms of disease and identify potential therapeutic targets.
• Develop and optimize biochemical assays for high-throughput screening (HTS).
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and other R&D scientists to advance projects.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in biochemistry and pharmaceutical research.

Skills

Enzyme kinetics

Protein purification

Structural biology

Scientific writing

Presentation skills

Analytical skills

Education

PhD in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology

Tools

Data analysis software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Pharmaceutical Biochemist to lead critical research and development activities at their state-of-the-art facility in Sandton . This role involves driving innovation in drug discovery and development, focusing on biochemical pathways and mechanisms relevant to therapeutic targets. You will conduct complex experiments, analyze biochemical data, and contribute to the design of novel pharmaceutical compounds. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in biochemistry, extensive experience in pharmaceutical R&D, and a passion for contributing to the development of life-changing medicines, working within a collaborative and cutting-edge research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex biochemical assays and experiments to support drug discovery and development projects.
• Analyze and interpret biochemical data, providing insights and recommendations for further research.
• Investigate molecular mechanisms of disease and identify potential therapeutic targets.
• Develop and optimize biochemical assays for high-throughput screening (HTS).
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, biologists, and other R&D scientists to advance projects.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in biochemistry and pharmaceutical research.

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral research experience in the pharmaceutical industry or a related R&D setting.
• Expertise in various biochemical techniques, including enzyme kinetics, protein purification, and structural biology.
• Proven experience in drug discovery , target validation, and assay development.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data analysis software.
• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including equity options.
• Access to advanced laboratory facilities and cutting-edge technologies.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, publication, and patent contribution.
• Collaborative work culture with leading scientists in the field.
• Stimulating research environment focused on innovation and scientific excellence.