Senior Structural Biologist - Protein Crystallography

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Conference funding

Training & development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Structural Biologist in Benoni, Gauteng, to lead protein crystallography efforts across the full workflow—from expression and purification to data collection and structure determination. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to translate structural insights into drug discovery programs.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. with at least five years of post-doctoral or industrial crystallography experience, strong problem-solving skills, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of post-PhD experience in protein crystallography.
• Hands-on experience with crystallography workflow and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead expression, purification, and crystallization to obtain high-quality crystals.
• Collect diffraction data from synchrotron or in-house X-ray sources.
• Determine and refine structures of proteins and protein–ligand complexes.
• Interpret structural data to understand function and drug interactions.
• Use PyMOL/CCP4/Phenix for analysis and visualization.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and biochemists to inform drug discovery.
• Troubleshoot crystallography workflow and data processing challenges.
• Contribute to publications and conferences.
• Provide mentorship to junior team members.

Skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Biophysics/Structural Biology

Tools

CCP4

Phenix

SHELX

PyMOL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biopharmaceutical company renowned for its innovative approach to drug discovery, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Structural Biologist with expertise in protein crystallography to join their advanced research labs in Benoni, Gauteng . This role is crucial for elucidating the three-dimensional structures of key therapeutic targets and drug-target complexes, providing fundamental insights that drive rational drug design. You will be responsible for the entire crystallography workflow, from protein expression and purification to data collection and structure determination. This position offers the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art instrumentation and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists in a dynamic and stimulating research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute protein expression, purification, and crystallization trials to obtain high-quality protein crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction.
• Collect diffraction data at synchrotron sources and/or in-house X-ray generators.
• Determine and refine high-resolution three-dimensional structures of proteins and protein-ligand complexes using crystallographic methods.
• Analyze and interpret structural data to understand protein function, mechanism of action, and drug-binding interactions.
• Utilize molecular modeling and visualization software (e.g., PyMOL, CCP4, Phenix) for structure analysis and interpretation.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biochemists, and computational biologists to integrate structural information into drug discovery programs.
• Troubleshoot challenges encountered throughout the crystallography workflow, including protein production, crystallization, and data processing.
• Contribute to the scientific literature through publications and presentations at international conferences.
• Manage laboratory resources and mentor junior members of the structural biology team.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in structural biology techniques and methodologies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in protein crystallography.
• Demonstrated expertise in all aspects of the crystallography workflow, from protein expression and purification to data collection and structure solution/refinement.
• Hands-on experience with synchrotron X-ray sources and X-ray data processing software.
• Proficiency in using crystallographic software packages (e.g., CCP4, Phenix, SHELX) and molecular visualization tools (e.g., PyMOL).
• Strong understanding of protein biochemistry and molecular biology.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• A track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, and generous paid time off.
• We provide excellent opportunities for professional growth, including funding for attending key scientific conferences and specialized training.
• This position is based in Benoni, Gauteng , offering a collaborative and stimulating research atmosphere.
• Join a world-class team dedicated to using structural insights to develop breakthrough therapies and make a significant impact on human health.