Research Associate - Synthetic Organic Chemistry/Chemical Biology

Vacancy terms: Fixed term contract from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2027

Hours per week: 37.5

About the role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Synthetic Organic Chemistry/ Chemical Biology funded by the Medical Research Council. This is an exciting opportunity to be a key researcher in an interdisciplinary project entitled ‘Developing PROTACs for the target validation of individual Histone Deacetylase corepressor complexes’. This is a collaborative project between the groups of Dr James Hodgkinson (School of Chemistry and Leicester Institute of structural and Chemical Biology, LISCB), Professor John Schwabe (Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and LISCB) and Professor Shaun Cowley (Department of Molecular and Cell Biology). The project also involves collaborations with industrial partners Charnwood Discovery and TOCRIS bioscience, a Bio-Techne brand.

In this role you will primarily be based in the research lab of Dr Hodgkinson implementing the synthesis of novel proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) libraries. The role is ideally suited to an early career researcher who is talented and creative in synthetic organic chemistry with a proven track-record in multi-step organic synthesis to complex/bioactive molecules. You will be inspired to design synthetic routes to novel PROTAC libraries and implement these routes to deliver PROTAC libraries for biological evaluation. Although your primary role will be as a synthetic organic chemist you will work as an integral member of an interdisciplinary team of researchers and actively engage in the interpretation of the biological results to further inform compound design. The successful candidate will also provide high level research skills in synthetic organic chemistry through personal expertise and contributions to the wider research team of Dr Hodgkinson, and will take a leading role in the presentation of results and manuscript preparation for publication/IP. This a 36-month position subject to completion of a probation period.

The Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology (LISCB) is a cross-disciplinary entity that brings together internationally renowned research in structural biology and chemical biology at the University of Leicester into a single world-leading unit. The Institute aims to exploit synergies in research technologies to deliver major advances in both fundamental and translational research. The School of Chemistry at the University of Leicester is recognised both nationally and internationally for its research and is recipient of the Athena SWAN Silver award.

About you

The candidate should have a PhD qualification (or about to be awarded a PhD) in synthetic organic chemistry/ chemical biology with experience in the synthesis of complex/bioactive molecules, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Additional previous experience in drug discovery or medicinal chemistry is desirable but not essential, and training will be provided for synthetic organic chemists who want to learn skills in these areas.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to James Hodgkinson on jthodgkinson@le.ac.uk

This position is available from 01 January 2025, with a start date as soon as possible.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

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Advert closes midnight on: 24 November 2024

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