Senior Structural Biologist - Protein Engineering

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Performance-based bonus

Professional growth opportunities

Advanced research facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng seeks a Senior Structural Biologist to lead protein structure elucidation and design efforts. You will apply X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and computational modeling to enable the rational engineering of therapeutic proteins within a cutting-edge team.

The role requires a PhD and 5+ years of experience, with a proven track record in structure determination, collaboration across disciplines, and contributing to drug discovery programs.

Qualifications

• PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of post‑doctoral or industry experience in structural biology focused on protein structure determination.
• Hands-on experience with X-ray crystallography and/or cryo-EM, including data collection, processing, and structure refinement.
• Proficiency in protein expression and purification techniques.
• Experience with computational structural biology tools and molecular modeling software.
• Strong understanding of protein biochemistry and biophysics; ability to manage projects and contribute to publications.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills; mentoring experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural biology studies on therapeutic proteins and their target molecules using X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM.
• Optimize protein expression, purification, and crystallization/vitrification for structural analysis.
• Determine and analyze high-resolution structures; interpret data to understand function and mechanism.
• Utilize structural information to guide rational protein design and engineering efforts.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, molecular biologists, and computational scientists to integrate structural insights into discovery and development projects.
• Develop and implement novel structural biology methodologies and workflows.
• Troubleshoot challenging projects and provide expert guidance.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to scientific discourse within the team and broader community.

Skills

X-ray crystallography

cryo-EM

Computational modeling

Protein expression

Protein purification

Biochemistry

Biophysics

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field

Tools

Molecular modeling software

X-ray data processing tools

Cryo-EM data processing tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel protein-based therapeutics, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Structural Biologist to join their innovative protein engineering team in Sandton, Gauteng . This crucial role involves elucidating the structures of therapeutic proteins and their targets, and utilizing this knowledge to rationally design and engineer proteins with improved efficacy, stability, and specificity. You will work with state-of-the‑art structural biology techniques, including X-ray crystallography, cryo‑electron microscopy (cryo‑EM), and computational modeling. The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field, with a proven track record of solving complex protein structures and contributing to drug discovery programs. As a senior scientist, you will lead structural biology efforts, mentor junior researchers, and collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, molecular biologists, and immunologists. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on the development of next‑generation medicines. The sophisticated research environment in Sandton, Gauteng supports advanced scientific exploration.

Key Responsibilities

Lead structural biology studies on therapeutic proteins and their target molecules using techniques such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM. Optimize protein expression, purification, and crystallization/vitrification for structural analysis. Determine and analyze high-resolution protein structures, interpreting structural data to understand protein function and mechanism. Utilize structural information to guide rational protein design and engineering efforts aimed at improving therapeutic properties. Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, molecular biologists, and computational scientists to integrate structural insights into discovery and development projects. Develop and implement novel structural biology methodologies and workflows. Troubleshoot challenging structural biology projects and provide expert guidance. Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the scientific discourse within the team and the broader scientific community.

Requirements

PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related discipline. Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in structural biology, with a focus on protein structure determination. Extensive hands‑on experience with X-ray crystallography and/or cryo-EM, including data collection, processing, and structure refinement. Proficiency in protein expression and purification techniques. Experience with computational structural biology tools and molecular modeling software is highly desirable. Strong understanding of protein biochemistry and biophysics. Proven ability to independently manage projects and contribute to scientific publications. Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills. Demonstrated experience mentoring junior researchers or team members.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a performance‑based bonus program, and opportunities for professional growth and development. You will have access to cutting‑edge structural biology facilities and collaborate with a team of world‑class scientists. Our client fosters a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and teamwork. The position in Sandton, Gauteng offers a rewarding career path in a leading biopharmaceutical company.