Senior Scientist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Scientist to join their Drug Discovery team in Kimberley. You will lead high-impact research, design complex assays, and collaborate with chemists and computational biologists to progress early-stage candidates.

The role requires a PhD with 6+ years in drug discovery, strong target validation, and a track record of scientific contribution. This is a senior, leadership-focused position with a dynamic, state-of-the-art facility.

Qualifications

• PhD required in biology, biochemistry, pharmacology or related life sciences.
• 6+ years of post-PhD experience in drug discovery and development.
• Proven target validation expertise and experience leading projects.
• Extensive experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques and assay development.
• Publications and/or patents demonstrating scientific impact.
• Strong leadership and communication for team-based work in Kimberley.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage drug discovery projects from target identification through lead optimization.
• Design, execute, and interpret complex biological assays and experiments relevant to drug discovery.
• Develop and validate new assays and technologies to support discovery efforts.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, computational biologists, and other scientific disciplines.
• Analyze and present research findings to internal project teams, steering committees, and at scientific conferences.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the scientific strategy and direction of the drug discovery unit.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Assay development

Target validation

Molecular biology techniques

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Biology / Biochemistry / Pharmacology

Tools

Assay platforms (ELISA, qPCR)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Scientist to join their innovative Drug Discovery team in Kimberley . This role is critical in identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets and advancing early-stage drug candidates. You will lead research projects, design and execute complex experiments, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of biologists, chemists, and pharmacologists. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of disease biology, extensive experience in modern drug discovery techniques, and a proven track record of contributing to pipeline progression in a dynamic pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting, working within a state-of-the-art research facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage drug discovery projects from target identification through to lead optimization.
• Design, execute, and interpret complex biological assays and experiments relevant to drug discovery.
• Develop and validate new assays and technologies to support discovery efforts.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, computational biologists, and other scientific disciplines.
• Analyze and present research findings to internal project teams, steering committees, and at scientific conferences.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the scientific strategy and direction of the drug discovery unit.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in drug discovery and development.
• Proven expertise in one or more therapeutic areas and a strong understanding of target validation and validation methodologies.
• Extensive experience with a range of molecular and cellular biology techniques and assay development.
• Excellent track record of scientific contribution, evidenced by publications and/or patents.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaborative skills, essential for working in a team-oriented environment in Kimberley .

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional development, scientific training, and conference attendance.
• A dynamic and intellectually stimulating research environment focused on developing life-changing medicines.