PhD in Molecular Pharmacology: GPCR Drug Discovery

AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a highly motivated candidate for a POLARIS doctoral network project in medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. You will study an orphan GPCR as a potential drug target for megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, using cellular assays and high-throughput screening to identify modulators.

You will perform secondments, training, and collaborations across EU partners, contributing to assay development and lead optimization within an

Qualifications

• Master's degree in pharmaceutical sciences, molecular neuroscience, biomedical sciences, medicinal chemistry or a comparable life sciences discipline.
• Experience in molecular pharmacology and/or receptor biochemistry with cell culture or cell-based signaling assays.
• Strong interest in GPCR biology and in developing cell-based assays with high-throughput readers and robotics.
• Experience with drug discovery is an advantage.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques and fluorescence microscopy is an advantage.
• Accurate, reproducible approach with strong analytical, communication and organizational skills; ability to collaborate across research environments.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop cell-based bioluminescent and fluorescent biosensor assays to detect GPCR signalling events in different cellular models.
• Investigate receptor activation and signalling mechanisms.
• Develop and apply high-throughput screening assays to identify potential drug‑like modulators.
• Use FDA‑approved drug library repurposing and fragment‑based drug discovery to identify and characterize promising compounds.
• Contribute to the development of a functional GPCR assay pipeline and the evaluation of lead molecules in collaboration with POLARIS partners.
• Planned secondments provide hands‑on experience in in vitro assay validation and in vivo characterisation of lead molecules.

Skills

Molecular pharmacology

Receptor biochemistry

Cell-based assays

Fluorescence biosensors

GPCR biology

Drug discovery

Molecular biology

English fluency

Education

Master's degree in pharmaceutical sciences, molecular neuroscience, biomedical sciences, medicinal chemistry or a comparable life sciences discipline

Tools

High-throughput screening

Job description

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a highly motivated candidate for a POLARIS doctoral network project in medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. You will study an orphan GPCR as a potential drug target for megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, using cellular assays and high-throughput screening to identify modulators.

You will perform secondments, training, and collaborations across EU partners, contributing to assay development and lead optimization within an