Lead Computational Biologist - Drug Discovery Platforms

Our client is seeking a talented and experienced Lead Computational Biologist to join their innovative drug discovery platform team in Polokwane. This role is crucial for developing and applying cutting-edge computational methodologies to analyze large-scale biological datasets, including genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics. You will play a key role in identifying novel drug targets, understanding disease mechanisms, and guiding preclinical development efforts.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong quantitative background and a proven ability to translate complex biological data into actionable insights within a collaborative research setting.

• Lead the development and implementation of computational biology strategies and pipelines for analyzing diverse biological datasets.
• Apply advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to identify potential drug targets and biomarkers.
• Integrate multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to gain a holistic understanding of disease biology.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, medicinal chemists, and pharmacologists to support drug discovery programs.
• Develop predictive models for drug efficacy and toxicity based on biological and preclinical data.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and contribute to the scientific direction of the discovery team.

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in computational biology, with a significant portion focused on drug discovery or related pharmaceutical research.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Strong expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization techniques.
• Experience with handling and analyzing large-scale biological datasets, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) data.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment in Polokwane.

• Competitive annual salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and company-sponsored retirement plan.
• Support for ongoing professional development, including attending scientific conferences and workshops.
• Opportunity to work with a leading organization at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation.