Senior Research Scientist - Microbiology

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer contrib.

Professional development

State-of-the-art research facility

Job summary

Placements24 invites a highly experienced Senior Research Scientist in Microbiology to join our client’s R&D team in Nelspruit. You will lead projects, design complex experiments, and mentor junior researchers while advancing antimicrobial discovery.

The role demands deep microbiology expertise, strong publication record, and collaboration across disciplines in a state-of-the-art facility.

Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology or related life science field.
• 5+ years post-PhD in microbiology research or industry.
• Expertise in microbial culture, molecular diagnostics, and strain characterization.
• Experience with infectious disease models and antimicrobial discovery is desirable.
• Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of microbiology research projects.
• Develop innovative microbiological assays and culture methods.
• Characterize microbial strains using molecular and biochemical methods.
• Collaborate across disciplines to align findings with goals.
• Prepare reports, manuscripts, and conference presentations.
• Mentor junior scientists and research staff.

Skills

Microbiology expertise

Molecular diagnostics

Leadership

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology or related

Tools

Molecular diagnostics tools

Laboratory techniques

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Senior Research Scientist specializing in Microbiology to join their dedicated R&D team in Nelspruit . This role is pivotal in advancing our understanding of microbial pathogens and developing novel antimicrobial strategies. You will lead research projects, design complex experiments, and contribute to the interpretation of results that drive our client's pipeline forward. The ideal candidate will possess a deep expertise in microbiology, a passion for scientific exploration, and the ability to mentor junior researchers in a stimulating laboratory environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, execution, and interpretation of research projects focused on microbial physiology, pathogenesis, and antibiotic resistance.
• Develop and optimize innovative microbiological assays and culture techniques.
• Characterize microbial strains using molecular, biochemical, and phenotypic methods.
• Collaborate with other scientific disciplines to integrate microbiological findings into broader research goals.
• Prepare high-quality scientific reports, manuscripts for publication, and presentations for conferences.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and research associates, fostering scientific rigor and professional development.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in microbiology research .
• Proven expertise in microbial culture techniques, molecular diagnostics, and strain characterization.
• Experience with infectious disease models and antimicrobial drug discovery is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of scientific publication.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills required for the Nelspruit team.

Benefits

• A competitive salary package including performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with generous employer contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training and conference attendance.
• Work within a state-of-the-art research facility with cutting-edge equipment in Nelspruit .