Senior Pharmaceutical Development Scientist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Career progression

Medical insurance

Continuous learning

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Development Scientist to lead and execute R&D activities in drug discovery at our client’s Mahikeng, North West site. You will design and optimize experiments, analyze data, and help advance new therapeutic agents with cross-functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related life science and has at least five years of post‑doctoral or industry experience in pharmaceutical R&D,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry or related field.
• Minimum 5 years post‑doctoral or industry R&D experience.
• Proven expertise in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation.
• Excellent communication and problem‑solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute and optimize complex experiments in drug discovery and target validation.
• Analyze data, draw conclusions and recommend next research steps.
• Develop assays and models to assess compound efficacy and safety.
• Identify and characterize new drug targets with cross‑functional teams.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations for internal and external use.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology teams.
• Maintain meticulous lab records and stay current with literature.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to a productive lab environment.
• Present scientific data clearly to stakeholders and at conferences.

Skills

Experimental design

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Team leadership

Molecular biology

Drug discovery

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology/Pharmacology/Biochemistry

Tools

PCR

Western blot

Flow cytometry

Cell-based assays

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical company renowned for its innovative drug development pipeline, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Pharmaceutical Development Scientist to join their team in Mahikeng, North West . This challenging role involves leading and executing critical research and development activities aimed at discovering and advancing new therapeutic agents. You will be involved in experimental design, execution, data analysis, and interpretation, contributing significantly to the early stages of drug discovery. The ideal candidate possesses a strong scientific background, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of molecular biology, pharmacology, or a related field. This is an on-site position requiring close collaboration with a dedicated team of scientists. An exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking medical advancements within a respected organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and optimize complex experiments in areas such as drug discovery, target validation, and mechanism of action studies.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, drawing robust conclusions and making recommendations for further research.
• Develop and implement novel assays and experimental models to assess compound efficacy and safety.
• Contribute to the identification and characterization of new drug targets.
• Prepare detailed scientific reports, research summaries, and presentations for internal review and external dissemination.
• Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, including medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date laboratory records and documentation.
• Stay abreast of scientific literature and emerging technologies in relevant therapeutic areas.
• Mentor junior research staff and contribute to a positive and productive laboratory environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or relevant industry experience in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one major therapeutic area (e.g., oncology, immunology, neurology, infectious diseases).
• Proven experience in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific interpretation.
• Proficiency in relevant molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, Western Blotting, flow cytometry, cell-based assays).
• Experience with data analysis software and statistical methods.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present scientific data effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Experience with in vivo pharmacology models is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance are provided.
• A generous annual leave allowance and paid sick leave are standard.
• Employees have access to a retirement savings plan.
• The company supports continuous learning through internal training programs and attendance at scientific conferences.
• Our client fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, encouraging scientific curiosity and professional growth.