Senior Protein Crystallography Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement provisions

Conference attendance

Remote work option

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Senior Protein Crystallography Scientist to lead the structural biology program in Durban. You will oversee expression, purification, crystallization, data collection, and structure determination while collaborating with medicinal chemistry and biology teams.

The role requires a PhD with 6+ years of post-doctoral or industry experience, a proven track record of solving high-resolution structures, and proficiency with Phenix/CCP4/Rosetta.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in protein crystallography.
• Proven track record of determining multiple high-resolution protein structures.
• Experience with protein expression (e.g., E. coli, insect cells) and purification.
• Expertise in crystallization techniques and data collection/structure refinement.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects focused on structural determination using X-ray crystallography.
• Oversee protein expression, purification, and characterization for crystallization.
• Develop and implement crystallization screening and optimization strategies.
• Collect diffraction data at synchrotron facilities and process to electron density maps.
• Build and refine atomic models of protein structures.
• Interpret structural data in context of SAR and guide lead optimization.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to scientific direction.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Independent work

Leadership

Biochemistry knowledge

Education

PhD in Biochemistry/Biophysics/Structural Biology

Tools

Phenix

CCP4

Rosetta

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biopharmaceutical research organization, is looking for a highly experienced Senior Protein Crystallography Scientist to join their innovative drug discovery team in Durban. This role is critical for elucidating the three-dimensional structures of target proteins, which is fundamental to rational drug design. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of structural biology, from protein expression and purification to crystallization, data collection, and structure determination. You will work in a state-of-the-art facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, utilizing advanced X-ray diffraction techniques and collaborating closely with medicinal chemists and biologists to accelerate the development of novel therapeutics. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to impactful research within a vibrant coastal city.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead projects focused on the structural determination of therapeutic targets using X-ray crystallography.
• Oversee protein expression, purification, and characterization, optimizing for crystallization.
• Develop and implement robust crystallization screening and optimization strategies.
• Collect diffraction data at synchrotron facilities and process the data to determine electron density maps.
• Build and refine atomic models of protein structures using computational modeling software.
• Analyze and interpret structural data in the context of structure-activity relationships (SAR).
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemistry and biology teams to guide lead optimization efforts.
• Manage laboratory resources, including equipment maintenance and consumable inventory.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the scientific direction of the structural biology group.
• Stay current with advancements in protein crystallography and related structural biology techniques.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in protein crystallography.
• Proven track record of determining multiple high-resolution protein structures.
• Extensive experience in protein expression (e.g., E. coli, insect cells), purification (e.g., affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion chromatography), and biophysical characterization.
• Expertise in crystallization techniques, including screening, optimization, and crystal handling.
• Proficiency in X-ray data collection, processing, and structure solution/refinement software (e.g., Phenix, CCP4, Rosetta).
• Experience with synchrotron radiation sources and crystallography beamlines.
• Strong understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry principles.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with experience presenting complex scientific data.
• Ability to work independently and lead research initiatives within the Durban research community.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary.
• A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement provisions.
• Ample opportunities for professional development and conference attendance.
• You will be part of an exciting research environment with access to cutting-edge instrumentation.
• This position offers the flexibility of remote work, allowing for a better work-life balance.
• Located in the dynamic city of Durban, you will enjoy a stimulating professional experience and a vibrant local culture.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.