Postdoctoral Research Associate in Medicinal Chemistry

Overview

King's College London is offering a postdoctoral position within the Drug Discovery Department at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science. The successful researcher will work on a multidisciplinary drug-discovery programme funded by the BBSRC, collaborating between Professor Miraz Rahman and Professor Julian Naglik in the Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions. The project focuses on discovering and optimising peptide and peptidomimetic inhibitors designed to neutralise candidalysin, a peptide toxin secreted by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans.

Who can apply

Applicants must hold a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Organic Chemistry, or a closely related discipline, though individuals who have recently submitted their PhD thesis are also eligible. Candidates need to demonstrate research experience in synthetic medicinal chemistry, expertise in designing and synthesising bioactive molecules, and practical skills in compound characterisation using NMR, mass spectrometry, and HPLC methods. A track record of peer-reviewed publications in international journals and experience with medicinal chemistry optimisation, including structure-activity relationships, are required. Additional desirable qualities include laboratory management experience, conference presentation history, LC-MS maintenance skills, and experience supervising or mentoring students.

What you get

The position offers a salary ranging from £45,031 to £47,379 per annum, which includes a London weighting allowance. This is a full-time employment opportunity set at 35 hours per week on an on-site work arrangement, provided as a fixed-term contract that runs until December 31, 2028.

Requirements

The role requires carrying out the design, synthesis, purification, and characterisation of inhibitor series using analytical and preparative HPLC, LC-MS, NMR, and other techniques. The researcher will interpret structure-activity relationships, scale up compounds for evaluation, and work closely with computational chemists and biological teams. Applicants must possess strong organisational, communication, and teamwork abilities. Final appointment is subject to Occupational Health and/or Disclosure and Barring Service clearances.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 2026-11-08. Interviews are scheduled to take place in November or December.