Senior Scientist - Microbiology

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

State-of-the-art facilities

Professional development

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 in East London (South Africa) seeks a Senior Scientist in Microbiology to lead critical research on pathogens and antimicrobial strategies, with a hybrid work arrangement.

The role requires a PhD and 5+ years of post-doctoral or industry experience, extensive culture, molecular biology, and data-analysis skills, plus mentoring of junior scientists and strong collaboration.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years post-PhD experience in microbiology research.
• Extensive culture, molecular biology and analytical methods experience.
• Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance mechanisms.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute microbiological experiments, including culture, identification, and characterization of microorganisms.
• Develop and validate assays for evaluating the efficacy of new antimicrobial compounds and therapies.
• Investigate microbial resistance mechanisms and host-pathogen interactions.
• Analyze and interpret microbiological data, employing appropriate statistical methods.
• Collaborate with other scientists and teams to advance research programs.
• Author scientific publications and present findings at conferences.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Data analysis

Collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field

Tools

Microbial culture

Molecular biology

Analytical methods

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Scientist with expertise in Microbiology to join their innovative research team based in East London. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to lead critical research projects focused on understanding microbial pathogens and developing novel antimicrobial strategies. You will be responsible for experimental design, data analysis, and mentoring junior scientists. The ideal candidate possesses a strong scientific background, exceptional laboratory skills, and a commitment to advancing microbial research within a collaborative, dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex microbiological experiments, including culture, identification, and characterization of microorganisms.
• Develop and validate assays for evaluating the efficacy of new antimicrobial compounds and therapies.
• Investigate microbial resistance mechanisms and host-pathogen interactions.
• Analyze and interpret microbiological data, employing appropriate statistical methods.
• Collaborate with other scientists and teams to advance research programs.
• Author scientific publications and present findings at conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant post-doctoral or industry experience in microbiology research.
• Extensive experience with microbial culture techniques, molecular biology, and relevant analytical methods.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation specific to microbiological studies.
• Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance mechanisms is essential.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to contribute to significant advancements in microbiology and infectious disease research.
• Access to state-of-the‑art laboratory facilities in East London.
• Support for professional development and continued learning.
• A collaborative and stimulating work environment.