Senior Systems Biologist

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Remote work opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Systems Biologist for its client, a biotechnology leader, in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. The role focuses on building quantitative models of cellular networks, integrating genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to predict drug and genetic perturbation outcomes.

The successful candidate will lead modeling efforts, collaborate with experimental teams, and communicate findings through publications and presentations in a coastal research setting.

Qualifications

• PhD in Systems Biology or related quantitative field required.
• Minimum 5 years post-doctoral experience in systems biology or closely related area.
• Proven expertise in computational modeling of biological systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and validate computational models of biological systems.
• Integrate multi-omics data to derive system-level insights.
• Design computational experiments to predict effects of perturbations.
• Collaborate with wet-lab scientists to test model predictions.

Skills

Python

R

MATLAB

Statistics

Data integration

Communication skills

Independent working

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Systems Biology or related quantitative field

Tools

SQL

Bioinformatics databases

Version control (Git)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutic strategies, is looking for a Senior Systems Biologist to join their innovative research team in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape . This role is pivotal in understanding complex biological networks and how they respond to various interventions. You will be responsible for building and validating computational models of cellular and organismal systems, integrating diverse biological data types (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics), and predicting the outcomes of drug treatments or genetic modifications. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computational modeling, a deep understanding of biological processes, and a passion for applying quantitative approaches to biological questions. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to life‑saving research in a stimulating coastal environment. Join us in beautiful Port Elizabeth and advance the frontiers of biological science.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and validate computational models of biological systems (e.g., signaling pathways, metabolic networks, gene regulatory networks).
• Integrate and analyze multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to gain systems-level insights.
• Design and conduct computational experiments to predict the effects of genetic perturbations or drug treatments.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to design experiments that can test model predictions and refine models.
• Utilize advanced statistical and computational techniques for data analysis and model calibration.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in systems biology, bioinformatics, and computational modeling techniques.
• Communicate research findings effectively through presentations, reports, and publications.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of research projects and the interpretation of results.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a collaborative research environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Systems Biology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience in systems biology or a closely related area.
• Proven expertise in developing and applying computational models to biological problems.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar.
• Experience with various biological databases and data types (e.g., gene expression, protein-protein interactions, metabolic pathways).
• Solid understanding of statistical methods and machine learning applied to biological data.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research setting.
• Must have the legal right to work remotely from South Africa.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary between and R.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous annual leave and sick leave policies.
• Support for professional development, including conference attendance and workshops.
• Access to high-performance computing resources.
• Flexible working hours and remote work opportunities.
• An intellectually stimulating research environment in Port Elizabeth .
• Opportunity to contribute to significant advancements in medicine and health.