Senior Pharmaceutical Research Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Research Scientist in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu‑Natal, to advance novel therapeutic agents. You will lead multi‑disciplinary teams, design and execute high‑impact experiments, and drive pre‑clinical programs with a focus on rigorous data generation and scientific excellence.

You will mentor researchers, collaborate with chemists and toxicologists, and contribute to publications and patents while staying abreast of the latest developments in

Qualifications

• PhD in life sciences required or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years post‑doctoral or industry experience in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Proven track record leading research projects and delivering data for candidate selection.
• Extensive experience with molecular, cell biology and biochemical techniques.
• Demonstrated expertise in target identification, validation and assay development.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery processes and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in fast‑paced team settings.
• Experience with biologics or small molecule development is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret complex experiments for drug discovery and development.
• Lead research projects from inception to pre‑clinical stages with high data quality.
• Develop and optimize analytical methods and biochemical assays.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists.
• Analyze and present data to stakeholders and at scientific conferences.
• Maintain accurate lab records and ensure safety/regulatory compliance.
• Mentor junior staff and foster scientific excellence and teamwork.
• Contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.
• Stay current with literature and technological advances in pharma.
• Troubleshoot procedures and address complex scientific challenges.

Skills

PhD in life sciences

5+ years pharma R&D

Drug discovery leadership

Analytical methods development

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis and interpretation

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related life science

Tools

HTS methodologies

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Research Scientist in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu‑Natal, to advance novel therapeutic agents. You will lead multi‑disciplinary teams, design and execute high‑impact experiments, and drive pre‑clinical programs with a focus on rigorous data generation and scientific excellence.

You will mentor researchers, collaborate with chemists and toxicologists, and contribute to publications and patents while staying abreast of the latest developments in