Senior Pharmaceutical Research Scientist - Oncology

Placements24; Midrand; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Generous PTO

Professional development

Home office allowance

Remote collaboration tools

Career progression

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Research Scientist for a fully remote role focused on advancing oncology therapeutics. You will leverage deep scientific expertise to contribute to drug discovery and development pipelines in a remote-first environment.

In this role, you will design preclinical studies, analyze big datasets, develop assays, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project progression while ensuring regulatory compliance and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years post-doctoral or industry experience in pharmaceutical research, with a strong focus on oncology.
• Demonstrated expertise in preclinical drug discovery, target validation, and assay development.
• Proven track record of scientific publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (GraphPad Prism, R) and bioinformatics tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information clearly.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a strategic approach to research challenges.
• Experience with managing research projects and mentoring junior staff is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drug development (e.g., FDA, EMA).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment, demonstrating strong self-discipline and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex preclinical research studies to evaluate efficacy and safety of new oncology drug candidates.
• Analyze and interpret large datasets using advanced statistical methods and bioinformatics tools.
• Develop and validate innovative assays for drug target identification and validation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project progression.
• Prepare high-quality scientific reports, manuscripts for publication, and presentations for stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and trends in oncology research and drug development.
• Contribute to the intellectual property strategy through invention disclosures and patent filings.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific rigor and innovation.
• Manage external collaborations with academic institutions and CROs as needed.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and company policies.

Skills

Data analysis

Bioinformatics

Scientific communication

Mentoring

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology/Pharmacology/Biochemistry or related field

Tools

GraphPad Prism

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the pharmaceutical sector, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Pharmaceutical Research Scientist to join their dynamic team. This is a fully remote, critical role focused on advancing novel oncology therapeutics. The successful candidate will leverage their deep scientific expertise to contribute significantly to the drug discovery and development pipeline. As a remote-first organization, we are committed to providing our employees with the tools, resources, and collaborative environment necessary to thrive professionally from anywhere. This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to make a tangible impact on patient lives by developing cutting-edge treatments for challenging diseases. You will be an integral part of a forward-thinking company dedicated to scientific excellence and patient well-being.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex preclinical research studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new oncology drug candidates.
• Analyze and interpret large datasets using advanced statistical methods and bioinformatics tools.
• Develop and validate innovative assays for drug target identification and validation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and clinical development experts, to drive project progression.
• Prepare high-quality scientific reports, manuscripts for publication, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and emerging trends in oncology research and drug development.
• Contribute to the intellectual property strategy through invention disclosures and patent filings.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific rigor and innovation within the research team.
• Manage external collaborations with academic institutions and contract research organizations (CROs) as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory guidelines and company policies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in pharmaceutical research, with a strong focus on oncology.
• Demonstrated expertise in preclinical drug discovery, target validation, and assay development.
• Proven track record of scientific publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R) and bioinformatics tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information clearly.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a strategic approach to research challenges.
• Experience with managing research projects and mentoring junior staff is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drug development (e.g., FDA, EMA).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment, demonstrating strong self-discipline and time management skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary package.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and further training.
• Home office setup allowance.
• Access to state-of-the-art digital research platforms and collaboration tools.
• A vibrant and inclusive remote work culture that fosters innovation and growth.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing pharmaceutical company.