Postdoctoral candidate for medicinal chemistry/chemical biology for a synthetic lethality target

Leiden University; Leiden; On-site; EUR 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End-of-year bonus

Holiday bonus

Training and career development

Sabbatical leave

Job summary

The Leiden University Faculty of Science and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) invite applications for a postdoctoral candidate in medicinal chemistry/chemical biology focused on a synthetic lethality target (EXO1).

You will join an interdisciplinary team to develop drug modalities, advance scaffold ideas, and optimize compounds for cellular testing, with access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Qualifications

• PhD in medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, chemical biology.
• Strong background in structure based drug design and organic synthesis.
• Experience in chemical biology probe development, chemo-proteomics, or similar.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Develop scaffold proposals for covalent and non-covalent inhibitors.
• Optimize novel and existing compound series for cellular testing.
• Develop tool compounds for cellular target engagement assays.
• Advance candidate optimization enabling in vivo studies.

Skills

Structure-based drug design

Organic synthesis

Chemical biology probe development

Publication track record

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Effective English communication

Proactive, goal-oriented mindset

Education

PhD in medicinal chemistry

Tools

LCMS

NMR

Cell culture

Molecular biology lab

Automated synthesizers

Job description

The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) are looking for a:

Postdoctoral candidate for medicinal chemistry/chemical biology for a synthetic lethality target

Are you excited about developing cutting-edge drug modalities within an ambitious and interdisciplinary research team? In this position, you will advance an innovative drug discovery campaign against the synthetic lethality target EXO1. The work is a collaboration between the pomplunlab.com and the group of Sylvie Noordermeer at LUMC, in walking distance, allowing for high efficiency team work.

What you will do

• Develop scaffold proposals for covalent and non-covalent inhibitors
• Optimizing novel and existing compound series for cellular testing
• Develop tool compounds for cellular target engagement assays
• Advanced candidate optimization enabling in vivo studies

What you bring

• A PhD in medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, chemical biology
• Strong background in structure based drug design and organic synthesis
• Experience in chemical biology probe development, chemo-proteomics, or similar, is a plus
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Scientific curiosity, creativity, and a goal-oriented research mindset
• An appreciation for interdisciplinary work and a proactive collaborative attitude
• Excellent English communication skills and strong interpersonal abilities

Where you will work

The Faculty of Science at Leiden University is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelors’ and twelve master’s programs. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,700 staff and over 6,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

You will work in the modern laboratories of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug research (LACDR). State of the art equipment for the project is available (organic synthesis lab, LCMS, NMR, cell culture, molecular biology lab, automated synthesizers, synthesis facilities, plate readers, biolayer interferometry, etc.). You will receive supportive supervision both for your project, the publication process and your future career. The project is also embedded in the Oncode Institute offering excellent cancer research expertise network opportunities.

What we offer

We offer a full-time position for initially one year. After positive evaluation of the progress of the research, personal capabilities and compatibility the appointment can be extended to three years.

The salary ranges, depending on qualifications and experience, from € 3.706,- to € 5.760,- gross per month (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

What we value

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

If you have questions about this position, please contact Dr. Sebastian Pomplun, [e-mail].