Senior Protein Biochemist - Structural Biology

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development opportunities

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Protein Biochemist with expertise in structural biology for a leading biotechnology firm in Pretoria. You will lead expression, purification, and characterization of therapeutic proteins, focusing on structure determination by X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM within a dynamic R&D team.

The role requires a PhD and at least five years in protein biochemistry and structural biology, with experience in recombinant expression in multiple systems and biophysical

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years post-doctoral or industry experience in protein biochemistry and structural biology.
• Proven expertise in recombinant protein expression and purification techniques.
• Experience with structure determination using X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM.
• Experience with biophysical characterization techniques such as SPR, ITC, CD, DSC, and mass spectrometry.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute recombinant expression and purification of challenging protein targets.
• Characterize protein structure, function, and stability using biophysical methods.
• Lead efforts in obtaining high-resolution structural data via X-ray or Cryo-EM.
• Analyze and interpret structural data and integrate with other results.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, medicinal chemists, and computational scientists on drug discovery.
• Develop and optimize production and purification protocols for various applications.
• Troubleshoot experimental challenges and propose solutions.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to scientific direction.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

PhD in Biochemistry / Biophysics / Structural Biology

Tools

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM

SPR

ITC

Mass spectrometry

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biotechnology firm located in Pretoria , is seeking an accomplished Senior Protein Biochemist with expertise in structural biology to join their innovative research and development team. This role is crucial for elucidating the structural and functional characteristics of key therapeutic proteins and their targets. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing state-of-the-art protein expression, purification, and characterization techniques, with a strong focus on structural determination methods such as X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of novel therapeutics in a dynamic and collaborative research environment within Gauteng . You will be working with advanced instrumentation and contributing to significant scientific advancements in protein science.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute strategies for the recombinant expression and purification of challenging protein targets.
• Employ a range of biochemical and biophysical techniques to characterize protein structure, function, and stability.
• Lead efforts in obtaining high-resolution structural data using X-ray crystallography or Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM).
• Analyze and interpret complex structural and biochemical data, integrating findings with other experimental results.
• Collaborate closely with molecular biologists, medicinal chemists, and computational scientists to advance drug discovery projects.
• Develop and optimize protein production and purification protocols for various applications.
• Troubleshoot complex experimental challenges and propose innovative solutions.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the overall scientific direction of the protein science group.
• Prepare scientific reports, manuscripts for publication, and present findings at conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant post-doctoral or industry experience focused on protein biochemistry and structural biology.
• Proven expertise in recombinant protein expression (e.g., E. coli, insect cells, mammalian cells) and purification techniques (e.g., affinity, ion-exchange, size-exclusion chromatography).
• Demonstrated success in structure determination using X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM, including data collection and structure refinement.
• Experience with various biophysical characterization techniques such as SPR, ITC, CD, DSC, and mass spectrometry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary and an attractive benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance, a retirement savings plan, and opportunities for professional development. You will be joining a highly collaborative team in a cutting-edge research facility in Pretoria . We offer access to state-of-the-art equipment and a supportive environment that fosters scientific growth and innovation. Relocation assistance may be provided to facilitate your move to Gauteng .