Senior Systems Biologist

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Conference attendance support

Flexible remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Systems Biologist to advance computational modeling of cellular pathways and disease mechanisms in a primarily remote role with occasional on-site collaboration at our facility near Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa.

You will work with experimental biologists, chemists, and pharmacologists to bridge theory and experimentation, develop integrative models, and contribute to drug discovery efforts through rigorous data analysis and publication-ready findings.

Qualifications

• PhD in Systems Biology, Computational Biology, Biophysics, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years post-doctoral research experience.
• Strong expertise in mathematical modeling and simulation of biological processes.
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB) and modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply computational models to analyze biological systems.
• Integrate multi-omics data to build system-level models.
• Design computational experiments to test hypotheses.
• Collaborate with experimental teams for in vivo and in vitro studies.
• Identify key components and mechanisms within biological networks related to disease.
• Utilize software for modeling and simulation (MATLAB, R, Python, COPASI).
• Communicate complex modeling results to diverse scientific audiences.
• Contribute to publications and presentations.
• Mentor junior scientists in systems biology approaches.

Skills

Mathematical modeling

Python

R

MATLAB

Multi-omics data

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Systems Biology

Tools

COPASI

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading biopharmaceutical research company focused on understanding complex biological systems through an integrative approach. We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Systems Biologist to join our innovative team, primarily working remotely but with occasional needs for on-site collaboration at our facility near Polokwane, Limpopo . This role involves developing and applying computational and mathematical models to study cellular pathways, regulatory networks, and disease mechanisms. You will work closely with experimental biologists, chemists, and pharmacologists to bridge the gap between theoretical modeling and experimental validation, aiming to accelerate drug discovery and development. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in quantitative biology, modeling, and a proven ability to interpret complex biological data within the broader context of systems science.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply computational models (e.g., mechanistic, statistical, agent-based) to analyze biological systems
• Integrate multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to build comprehensive system-level models
• Design computational experiments to test hypotheses and predict biological outcomes
• Collaborate with experimental teams to design and interpret in vivo and in vitro experiments
• Identify key components and mechanisms within biological networks relevant to disease
• Utilize software for modeling and simulation (e.g., MATLAB, R, Python, COPASI)
• Communicate complex modeling results effectively to diverse scientific audiences
• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations
• Mentor junior scientists in systems biology approaches

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Systems Biology, Computational Biology, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant post-doctoral research experience
• Strong expertise in mathematical modeling and simulation of biological processes
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB) and modeling software
• Experience with integrating and analyzing large-scale biological datasetsExcellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities, with experience working in interdisciplinary teams
• Familiarity with drug discovery and development processes is a plus
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, retirement benefits, and a generous annual leave policy. We provide significant opportunities for professional growth, including support for attending scientific conferences and workshops. This role offers the flexibility of remote work, with occasional required visits to our facility near Polokwane . Join our pioneering team and contribute to impactful research aimed at revolutionizing healthcare through systems-level understanding of biology.