Doctoral Candidate

Applications are invited for a Doctoral Candidate to work in the group of Professor Alethea Tabor in the Department of Chemistry at University College London. This position is part of a HORIZON-MSCA “Macrocycles for Drug Design” (MC4DD) Doctoral Training Network, which aims to train the next generation of European medicinal chemists in a multidisciplinary environment to investigate macrocycles as new drug modalities. This position will use synthetic organic chemistry and solid-phase peptide synthesis techniques to develop methodology for the generation, screening and analysis of low-peptide macrocycles targeted to cyclophilin. This will involve the synthesis of orthogonally protected building blocks and the development of new solid-phase methodology for incorporating these into libraries of macrocycles. The project will also involve structural analysis by NMR, molecular modelling and the development of library screening techniques.

The position is funded for 36 months and the work is expected to lead to the award of a PhD. The position will start between 1/11/2024 and 31/5/2025.

The salary ranges from £35,159 - £46,759 per annum, depending on circumstances.

The successful candidate will have a Masters degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, Natural Sciences or similar subject at the time of starting the post. They will have a passion for high quality interdisciplinary research and enthusiasm and interest in organic chemistry and chemical biology. Experience in organic synthesis, purification and characterization is required. Expertise in solid phase peptide synthesis is desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided. During the three years, the researcher will also undertake three research/training placements at partners within the MC4DD network: Uppsala University, Sweden (NMR); Sanofi, Germany (molecular modelling); Leiden University, Netherlands (library screening). There will be a high degree of interaction with other partners within the Doctoral Training Network. Excellent team-working and communication skills, and a keen interest in interdisciplinary research at the chemical biology/structura l biology/computational biology interface will be required.

To be eligible for the post you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies) in the UK for more than 12 months prior to the recruitment date.

A full job description, person specification, eligibility and application requirements can be accessed by clicking 'Apply'.

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