Postdoc Position in Medicinal Chemistry

Sport Society; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: 3,706–5,760 EUR per month

Job summary

Utrecht University is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery division. You will lead the discovery and optimization of Piezo1 inhibitors for sickle cell disease, combining virtual screening, AI techniques, and organic synthesis with close collaboration with the UMC Utrecht for bioassays.

The role offers access to modern synthetic labs, analytical equipment, HPC resources, and translational opportunities within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, with

Qualifications

• Completed PhD in Medicinal Chemistry.
• Experience in organic synthesis of drug-like compounds.
• Experience in molecular modelling/docking and AI-assisted screening.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Discover and optimize Piezo1 inhibitors for sickle cell disease.
• Utilize virtual screening, AI techniques, and organic synthesis.
• Collaborate with UMC Utrecht and CBDD division for assays and data exchange.

Skills

Organic synthesis of drug-like

Molecular modelling/docking

English proficiency

Education

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

NMR

LC/MS

MALDI-TOF

HPLC

HILIC

High-performance computing (HPC)

Job description

Join a multidisciplinary project at the interface of medicinal chemistry, computational drug discovery and chemical biology.

As a postdoc, you will play a key role in the discovery and development of novel Piezo1 inhibitors for sickle cell disease, combining virtual screening, AI-techniques and organic synthesis. Initial inhibitors have already been identified, providing a starting point for further optimization and broader screening. You will work closely with researchers at UMC Utrecht where compounds will be assayed. The project combines fundamental research with translational potential and offers opportunities to interact with experts in the field through periodic user committee meetings.

You will work in the Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery division of the Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The division houses around 60 researchers with expertise in preparative chemistry linked to disease research, carbohydrates and glycoscience, RNA in disease, immunology and drug discovery.

You will have access to modern synthetic labs, state of the art analytical equipment, biolabs and large scale computation facilities. Regular in person meetings with our partner group at the UMC will support the close collaboration on this project. Our goal is to advance successful compounds in subsequent translational activities.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will have the opportunity to develop your expertise across synthetic and computational medicinal chemistry and apply modern approaches to compound discovery and optimization.

Your qualities

• a completed PhD in Medicinal Chemistry;
• experience in organic synthesis of drug-like compounds;
• experience in molecular modelling/docking experience in the creation and development of bioactive compounds;
• proficiency in written and spoken English.

Our offer

• a position for one year, with the possibility of an extension for one year upon a positive evaluation;
• a gross monthly salary, depending on qualifications and experience, between €3.706 and €5.760 (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)). The salary is based on a 38-hour working week;
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment set out in our collectivelabouragreement, we offer attractiveadditionalbenefits, including opportunities for personal and professional growth , flexibleleavearrangements,and extravacationdays. Through the UU Terms of Employment Options Model, you can tailor your employment package to your needs. In this way, we encourage you to grow in what you do, both in your work and in your development.Read more about our terms of employment .

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

Working at the Faculty of Science

means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

You will join the research group of prof dr. Roland Pieters . The work of designing biologically active compounds of disease-linked proteins is a core research area of the Pieters group. The group has focused on structure-based optimizations using X‑ray structures and spacer optimization for multivalent ligand design. The current focus is on drug discovery methods by virtual screening and AI for small molecules inhibitors of medically important targets.

The Pieters group is part of the Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (CBDD) division.This division is part of the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), where all research activities of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences take place.The CBDD division has excellent facilities for organic synthesis and product analysis which this proposal requires. The state-of-the-art labs available for synthesis include: 400 MHz NMR, 600 MHz NMR, LC/MS system, multiple mass spectrometers (MALDI-TOF, ESI, ion mobility) and several HPLC systems, including preparative instruments, UPLC and HILIC. For computational studies, the High-Performance Compute (HPC) facility, part of the Utrecht Bioinformatics Center (UBC) , is utilized. A biolab is present for protein expression, and cellular experiments.

More information

For more information, please contact prof dr. Roland J. Pieters

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The application deadline is 18 November 2026.