Lead Computational Biologist - Drug Discovery

Our client, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Computational Biologist to spearhead their drug discovery efforts. This is a fully remote, critical role based in Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA
, where you will be instrumental in leveraging big data analytics, machine learning, and advanced algorithms to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets. You will lead a team of talented computational biologists and bioinformaticians, fostering an environment of innovation and scientific rigor. This role requires a visionary leader with a deep understanding of biological systems and a passion for applying computational approaches to solve complex biological problems.

The remote-first nature of this position ensures seamless collaboration with global research teams, providing flexibility and autonomy to our esteemed scientists.

• Lead the development and application of computational strategies for drug target identification, validation, and lead optimization using diverse biological datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, clinical data).
• Design, implement, and manage bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput data analysis.
• Develop and deploy machine learning models to predict drug efficacy, toxicity, and patient response.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, medicinal chemists, and clinicians to translate computational findings into actionable drug discovery programs.
• Mentor and guide a team of computational biologists and bioinformaticians, fostering their professional growth and technical skills.
• Present complex analytical results and strategic recommendations to senior management and cross-functional teams.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics, AI, and drug discovery technologies.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual property and scientific publications.

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• 10+ years of experience in computational biology or bioinformatics, with at least 3 years in a leadership role within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven expertise in developing and applying advanced statistical and machine learning methods to biological data.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, Tensor Flow, PyTorch).
• Extensive experience with genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data analysis.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and big data technologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working in a fully remote setting is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, a generous stock option plan, and a robust professional development program. As a remote-first organization, we provide the flexibility and autonomy to work from anywhere. We foster a collaborative and innovative culture, encouraging continuous learning and growth. Join a team dedicated to making a significant impact on global health through cutting-edge drug discovery.