298 Remote Pharmaceutical Research Scientist Drug Discovery jobs in Nairobi

• Lead drug discovery projects from target identification through to preclinical candidate selection.
• Design and synthesize novel small molecule compounds with desired pharmacological profiles.
• Develop and validate in vitro and in vivo assays to assess compound efficacy, selectivity, and mechanism of action.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews to identify new therapeutic targets and drug discovery strategies.
• Analyze and interpret complex experimental data, including biological, chemical, and pharmacological findings.
• Manage research projects, set timelines, and ensure the timely execution of experiments.
• Collaborate effectively with medicinal chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists in a remote setting.
• Prepare high-quality research reports, manuscripts, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and prioritization of drug discovery programs.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in pharmaceutical research, drug discovery technologies, and therapeutic areas.
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety regulations and ethical guidelines.
• Mentor and guide junior research scientists and technical staff.

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral research experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with a focus on small molecule drug discovery.
• Proven track record of successfully identifying and advancing drug candidates.
• Extensive experience in medicinal chemistry, including structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis and iterative compound design.
• Proficiency in various biological assays, screening methodologies, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies.
• Strong understanding of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) and toxicology principles.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present scientific findings clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and work effectively in a collaborative, remote team environment.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools and databases is a plus.
• A strong commitment to scientific rigor and innovation.

• Lead and manage cutting-edge drug discovery research programs.
• Identify and validate novel drug targets for therapeutic intervention.
• Design, synthesize, and optimize small molecules or biologics with desired pharmacological profiles.
• Oversee preclinical studies, including in vitro and in vivo assays.
• Interpret complex experimental data and guide research strategies accordingly.
• Mentor and develop a team of research scientists and technicians.
• Author and present research findings at leading scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.
• Contribute to the intellectual property strategy and file patent applications.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to advance drug candidates.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements and emerging technologies in pharmaceutical research.

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of post-doctoral research experience or equivalent industry experience in drug discovery.
• Proven track record of leading successful drug discovery projects from target identification to preclinical candidate selection.
• Extensive experience in medicinal chemistry, assay development, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies.
• Strong understanding of disease biology, target validation, and translational research.
• Proficiency in relevant scientific software and analytical techniques.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration and mentor scientific talent in a remote setting.
• A strong publication and patent record is highly desirable.

• Design and execute experiments to identify and validate new drug targets.
• Develop and optimize assays for high-throughput screening (HTS) and hit-to-lead optimization.
• Analyze complex biological data, interpret results, and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Collaborate closely with computational chemists, pharmacologists, and biologists in a virtual setting.
• Contribute to the design and synthesis of small molecules or biologics.
• Prepare detailed research reports, scientific manuscripts, and presentations.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and technological advancements in drug discovery.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patent filings.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory and safety guidelines.
• Manage external collaborations and vendor relationships.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
• Guide and mentor junior researchers in experimental design and execution.

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in drug discovery.
• Proven track record of successful research and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Extensive experience with assay development, target validation, and lead optimization.
• Familiarity with various therapeutic areas (e.g., oncology, immunology, infectious diseases).
• Proficiency in data analysis software and bioinformatics tools.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills, essential for remote teamwork.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and drive projects forward in a remote environment.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to scientific challenges.
• Experience with in vivo pharmacology studies is a plus.
• This role supports remote work and is open to candidates in **Mombasa, Mombasa, KE**, and beyond.

• Lead and manage complex research projects focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics.
• Design and execute cutting-edge experiments to identify and validate drug targets and biomarkers.
• Develop and optimize screening assays and methodologies for lead identification and optimization.
• Interpret complex experimental data, draw sound scientific conclusions, and communicate findings effectively.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the company's drug discovery pipeline.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including biology, chemistry, DMPK, and toxicology, to advance programs.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and innovation.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements, literature, and technologies in relevant therapeutic areas and drug discovery.
• Prepare research reports, scientific publications, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Manage external collaborations with academic institutions and contract research organizations (CROs).
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety regulations and company policies.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation and patent filings.
• Evaluate new technologies and approaches to enhance drug discovery efforts.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and symposia.

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related life sciences discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of post-doctoral research experience in drug discovery within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in a specific therapeutic area (e.g., oncology, immunology, neurology) and a strong understanding of related disease biology.
• Proven track record of successfully leading drug discovery projects from inception to key milestones.
• Extensive experience in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation using relevant scientific software.
• Proficiency in various molecular and cellular biology techniques, including assay development, target validation, and lead optimization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information clearly and persuasively.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and thrive in a fast-paced, remote research environment.
• A strong publication record and/or patent filings.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drug development is a plus.
• Previous experience working effectively in a fully remote scientific setting is essential.

• Nairobi Kenya
• Posted 1 hour ago
• Deadline: 09 October 2025
• Partner: CIFOR-ICRAF

CIFOR-ICRAF
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Under the supervision of the head of SPACIAL the Spatial Data Scientist – Remote Sensing will lead and implement advanced remote sensing analysis tasks, including processing of optical and SAR data, timeseries analysis, and predictive modeling with primary focus on the modeling of temporal dynamics across complex landscapes. The position will support a range of projects and programmes across CIFOR-ICRAF, including Regreening Africa, Knowledge for Great Green Wall Action (K4GGWA). Towards Ending Drought Emergencies (Twende), and upcoming assessments of soil and land health with funding from NORAD.

Duties and responsibilities

Spatial data science

• Optical data processing and analysis, including from sensors such as Sentinel 2 and Landsat 8/9.
• SAR data processing and analysis, primarily Sentinel 1.
• Timeseries analysis, including detection of trends and anomalies in temporal data (vegetation, precipitation, land surface temperatures, etc)
• Predictive modeling of time series data, including forecasting where relevant.
• Applications of machine learning for predictive modeling and mapping of indicators relevant to assessment of ecosystem health using a combination of field data and remote sensing.
• Spatial data analysis tasks, including spatial queries, vector data extraction, processing, and cleaning.
• General data analysis and report writing.
• Supervise a team of junior spatial data scientists and developers.
• Develop communication products/outputs where relevant.

Capacity development

• Lead internal capacity development seminars within CIFOR-ICRAF.
• Capacity development of partners and stakeholders through workshops as part of projects with particular emphasis on spatial data processing and modeling.

Stakeholder engagement

• Work closely with the CIFOR-ICRAF stakeholder engagement team (SHARED) to provide analytical outputs that feed into project delivery, for example monitoring outputs as part of the Great Green Wall.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement events as part of the development of decision support tools and platforms.

Various Other Tasks

• Contribute to micro-dashboard development as part of the Global Resilience Impact Tracker platform
• Support projects and programs with analytical support and stakeholder engagement with decision makers.
• Lead and/or contribute to scientific papers.
• Contribute to proposal development and writing.

Requirements
Education, knowledge and experience

• MSc degree in remote sensing and spatial data science is required with proven ability to conduct highly complex analytical tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Advanced computer programming skills in R Statistics, some knowledge of Python and/or Julia, database technologies, and data management.

Personal Attributes And Competencies

• Excellent skills in organizing and priority setting, with the ability to work effectively under time pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Have initiative and capable of working independently as well as an effective team player.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Experience working with a wide and diverse network of groups and individuals.
• Proactive, target driven, and diligent.
• Works with trustworthiness and integrity.

Education, knowledge and experience

• MSc degree in remote sensing and spatial data science is required with proven ability to conduct highly complex analytical tasks.
• Advanced computer programming skills in R Statistics, some knowledge of Python and/or Julia, database technologies, and data management.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Globally Recruited Staff (GRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in USD, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for two (2) year period, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Kenya, Nairobi.

Learn more

• Lead and conduct cutting-edge research in early-stage drug discovery, focusing on identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets.
• Design, synthesize, and characterize potential small molecule or biologic drug candidates.
• Develop and optimize in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate drug efficacy, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists to advance drug candidates through the discovery pipeline.
• Interpret complex experimental data, draw insightful conclusions, and propose next steps for research projects.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements, literature, and emerging technologies in relevant therapeutic areas and drug discovery methodologies.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, patents, and regulatory submissions.
• Mentor junior scientists and research associates, providing technical guidance and scientific leadership.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
• Manage research projects, ensuring timely execution and adherence to project milestones.
• Ensure all laboratory activities are conducted in compliance with company policies, safety protocols, and ethical standards.

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral research experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with a strong focus on drug discovery.
• Proven track record of successful contributions to drug discovery programs, evidenced by publications and/or patents.
• Extensive experience in experimental design, execution, and data analysis relevant to drug discovery.
• Proficiency in relevant laboratory techniques, including cell-based assays, biochemical assays, protein expression/purification, and small molecule synthesis/characterization.
• Deep understanding of disease biology and mechanism of action.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex scientific information.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote setting.
• Experience with high-throughput screening (HTS) and fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is a plus.
• Familiarity with PK/PD modeling and bioinformatics tools is advantageous.