Postdoctoral research scientist to pursue covalent drug development for emerging cancer targets

Universiteit Leiden; Leiden; Híbrido; EUR 41.000 - 64.000; A tiempo parcial

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Fixed-term contract

Competitive salary

Holiday allowance

Year-end bonus

ABP pension

Public transport reimbursement

Hybrid work

Home-working allowance

Descripción de la vacante

Universiteit Leiden is seeking a Postdoctoral research scientist to advance covalent drug development for emerging cancer targets in Leiden. The role focuses on designing, synthesizing, and evaluating covalent inhibitors within an interdisciplinary team in the Leiden Institute of Chemistry.

The successful candidate will lead synthesis, chemoproteomics-based evaluation, and functional cell-based assays, contributing to tools for validating cancer targets and advancing drug development.

Formación

• Proficient synthetic/medicinal chemist capable of designing and synthesizing covalent inhibitors.
• Experience in enantioselective synthesis and covalent/electrophilic functional groups advantageous.
• Prior experience in small molecule drug development, SAR studies and property optimization.
• Strong record-keeping and data management, with meticulous scientific standards.
• Ability to write and present research in English (publications, theses, talks).

Responsabilidades

• Design, synthesis and characterization of covalent small molecules.
• Report research progress in group meetings, conferences and publications.
• Collaborate with lab members and assist in biological studies.

Conocimientos

Synthetic chemistry

Medicinal chemistry

Enantioselective synthesis

Covalent chemistry

English communication

Descripción del empleo

Postdoctoral research scientist to pursue covalent drug development for emerging cancer targets Vacancy number: 16990 Job type: Academic staff Parttime in hours minus: 38 Parttime in hours max: 38 Location: Leiden EN Applying is possible up to and including: 20 November 2026

Project description

Many proteins with key roles in immune-oncology are “undruggable” using conventional small molecules. Our lab has used chemical proteomics to identify novel binding sites on several key cancer drivers that can be engaged by electrophilic small molecules. This project focuses on optimizing the potency and selectivity of these lead compounds, and developing bifunctional analogues that can be used to induce protein degradation. The postdoctoral researcher will lead the design and synthesis of these compounds, evaluate their selectivity in chemoproteomics experiments, and perform preliminary functional characterization in cell-based/biochemical assays. The output of this project is chemical tools to validate novel cancer target and leads for subsequent drug development.

Supervisor: Madeline E. Kavanagh, Leiden Institute of Chemistry

Additional Information: https://www.nwo.nl/en/news/56-grants-for-the-open-competition-domain-science-xs-package-26-2

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/staffmembers/madeline-kavanagh

Where you will work

Leiden Institute of Chemistry is looking for a talented synthetic/medicinal chemist to work on the development of covalent small molecule inhibitors of emerging cancer targets. The candidate will join an interdisciplinary and collaborative research team that is embedded in the Leiden Bioscience Park, and gain experience in the development of targeted covalent inhibitors, chemical proteomics, and other chemical biology methods.

What you bring

Candidates responsibilities

• Design, synthesis and characterization of covalent small molecules
• Research reporting in group/department meetings, conferences and publications
• Team work/supervision – integration with existing lab members who have performed preliminary research and will lead biological studies

Candidate’s skills

• (essential) Proficient synthetic/medicinal chemist. Able to design and troubleshoot synthetic routes. Prior experience in enantioselective synthesis and covalent/electrophilic functional groups is advantageous
• (preferred) Prior experience in small molecule drug development, SAR studies, physicochemical property optimization
• (optional) Functional characterization of inhibitors in cell based /biochemical/biophysical assays
• Commitment to rigorous scientific standards, accurate record keeping, data management
• Time management and ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to write and present research in English (prior publications, theses, presentations)

What we offer

Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

• An employment contract for 6 months initially, to be extended if additional funding is obtained and based upon satisfactory performance. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary between €3706 - €5760 gross per month, based on a full‑time appointment (38 hours)
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end‑of‑year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home‑to‑work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full‑time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36‑hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for paid parental leave. Wihtin our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle sheme;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible wihtin the Netherlands;
• A horme-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces

Faculty

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 programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 5,000 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.

The research is embedded within the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, with its long‑standing traditions of excellence in research. Apart from a state‑of‑the‑art electrochemistry laboratory, and excellent synthesis facilities, preparation and measurement facilities, unconventional nanofabrication equipment and experimental setups to measure ion transport will be designed supported by outstanding mechanical and electronic workshops. We foster an international and collaborative atmosphere and have close ties to other institutes housed within our Faculty of Science and with many research groups within the Netherlands, and many prominent labs abroad.

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued, respected, and have the freedom to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High‑quality education and research mean inclusive education and research.

You can find more information about the faculty of Science at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/about-faculty-of-science . For more information about working at Leiden university please visit https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at .

University

Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

Thanks to its committed and inspired employees, the university enjoys a leading role in academic research and education. Every year, Leiden University scores very well in prominent rankings. This means that, to maintain our position, the bar is set very high. Regardless of the work you do at our university, you are always encouraged to broaden your horizons, develop your talents and reach your full potential.

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.