Senior Structural Biologist

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Professional development opportunities

Conference attendance

Retirement plan

PTO / vacation time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Structural Biologist for a hybrid role in Vereeniging, Gauteng. You will lead structural studies using cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography to reveal target structures and inform drug design.

The role emphasizes collaboration with chemists and computational biologists and mentoring junior staff. The ideal candidate has a PhD and 5–7+ years in structural biology, with strong protein expression/purification skills and proficiency in visualization tools such as PyMOL,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics or related field.
• 5–7+ years post-doc/industry experience in structural biology.
• Hands-on cryo-EM and/or X-ray crystallography experience.
• Proficient with structure visualization and modeling software.
• Demonstrated protein expression, purification, and characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute cryo-EM and/or X-ray projects to obtain high-res structures.
• Analyze data and model protein function and ligand interactions.
• Collaborate with chemists and computational biologists to guide drug design.
• Develop protocols for protein expression, purification, and crystallization/data collection.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges and stay current with field advances.
• Contribute to publications and presentations; maintain detailed records.
• Mentor junior scientists and ensure safety and compliance.

Skills

Cryo-EM

X-ray crystallography

Protein expression

Protein purification

Structure determination

Molecular modeling

PyMOL

Chimera

Phenix

CCP4

Education

Ph.D. in Structural Biology

Tools

PyMOL

Chimera

Phenix

CCP4

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company, is seeking an accomplished Senior Structural Biologist to contribute to their innovative drug discovery programs. This role is offered on a hybrid basis, providing flexibility while fostering essential team collaboration at our facility in Vereeniging, Gauteng, ZA . You will leverage cutting-edge techniques in structural biology, including cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and X-ray crystallography, to elucidate the structure of key therapeutic targets and guide rational drug design. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a dynamic research team and make a significant impact on the development of novel medicines. We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a proven track record in structural biology research and a deep understanding of protein structure-function relationships. Your expertise will be crucial in driving our client's pipeline forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments using cryo-EM and/or X-ray crystallography to determine the high-resolution structures of therapeutic targets.
• Analyze and interpret structural data, utilizing advanced modeling and visualization software to understand protein function and ligand binding.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, computational biologists, and other scientists to translate structural insights into drug design strategies.
• Develop and optimize protocols for protein expression, purification, and crystallization/data collection.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges in structural biology experiments.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements and technologies in structural biology and related fields.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications and presentations.
• Maintain detailed experimental records and manage laboratory resources effectively.
• Mentor junior scientists and technicians within the structural biology group.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and laboratory procedures.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in structural biology research, with a strong focus on protein structure determination.
• Extensive hands-on experience with cryo-EM data collection, processing, and structure determination, or X-ray crystallography data collection and structure refinement.
• Proficiency with structure visualization and modeling software (e.g., PyMOL, Chimera, Phenix, CCP4).
• Demonstrated ability to express, purify, and characterize proteins and protein complexes.
• Strong understanding of protein biochemistry and molecular biology principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate productively in a hybrid team setting.
• Experience with fragment-based drug discovery or structure-based drug design is a plus.
• Familiarity with synchrotron facilities and X-ray diffraction techniques is desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance. The hybrid work model provides a balance between remote flexibility and in-office collaboration. Opportunities for professional growth, including attending conferences and workshops, are generously supported. Employees have access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and computational resources. A generous paid time off policy is in place. Retirement savings plans with employer matching are available. Our client fosters a highly collaborative and innovative research environment focused on scientific excellence.