Key Skills

Job Description

Join a multidisciplinary project at the interface of medicinal chemistry, computational drug discovery and chemical biology. Your job As a postdoc, you will play a key role in the discovery and development of novel Piezo1 inhibitors for sickle cell disease, combining virtual screening, AI-techniques and organic synthesis. Initial inhibitors have already been identified, providing a starting point for further optimization and broader screening. You will work closely with researchers at UMC Utrecht where compounds will be assayed. The project combines fundamental research with translational potential and offers opportunities to interact with experts in the field through periodic user committee meetings. You will work in the Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery division of the Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The division houses around 60 researchers with expertise in preparative chemistry linked to disease research, carbohydrates and glycoscience, RNA in disease, immunology and drug discovery. You will have access to modern synthetic labs, state of the art analytical equipment, biolabs and large scale computation facilities. Regular in person meetings with our partner group at the UMC will support the close collaboration on this project. Our goal is to advance successful compounds in subsequent translational activities. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will have the opportunity to develop your expertise across synthetic and computational medicinal chemistry and apply modern approaches to compound discovery and optimization. Your qualities We Are Looking For An Enthusiastic Scientist With a completed PhD in Medicinal Chemistry; experience in organic synthesis of drug-like compounds; experience in molecular modelling/docking experience in the creation and development of bioactive compounds; proficiency in written and spoken English. Our offer a position for one year, with the possibility of an extension for one year upon a positive evaluation; a gross monthly salary, depending on qualifications and experience, between €3.706 and €5.760 (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)). The salary is based on a 38-hour working week; 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. In addition to the terms of employment set out in our collective labour agreement, we offer attractive additional benefits, including opportunities for personal and professional growth (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uu.nl%2Fen%2Forganisation%2Fworking-at-utrecht-university%2Fprofessional-development&data=05%7C02%7CD.M.Lagard%40uu.nl%7C4f5d474e5b464b941f1708df13c33466%7Cd72758a0a4464e0fa0aa4bf95a4a10e7%7C0%7C0%7C639251401252270569%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2BAg%2F47p5A6LLHstq21udIoJtBY4Jebab%2FOvjKBhMXtQ%3D&reserved=0), flexible leave arrangements, and extra vacation days. Through the UU Terms of Employment Options Model, you can tailor your employment package to your needs. In this way, we encourage you to grow in what you do, both in your work and in your development. Read more about our terms of employment (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uu.nl%2Fen%2Forganisation%2Fworking-at-utrecht-university%2Fterms-of-employment&data=05%7C02%7CD.M.Lagard%40uu.nl%7C4f5d474e5b464b941f1708df13c33466%7Cd72758a0a4464e0fa0aa4bf95a4a10e7%7C0%7C0%7C639251401252300419%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=10RWyZj6JW18tL35KO%2By8vmU%2Fv54hUvGvOQfiJnNyzw%3D&reserved=0). About Us A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University (https://www.uu.nl/en), the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes (https://www.uu.nl/en/research/profile/strategic-themes). Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow (https://youtu.be/yHkvpRYVPiA). Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community. You will join the research group of prof dr. Roland Pieters (https://www.uu.nl/staff/RJPieters). The work of designing biologically active compounds of disease-linked proteins is a core research area of the Pieters group. The group has focused on structure-based optimizations using X-ray structures and spacer optimization for multivalent ligand design. The current focus is on drug discovery methods by virtual screening and AI for small molecules inhibitors of medically important targets. The Pieters group is part of the Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (CBDD) (https://www.uu.nl/en/research/chemical-biology-and-drug-discovery) division. This division is part of the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), where all research activities of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences take place. The CBDD division has excellent facilities for organic synthesis and product analysis which this proposal requires. The state-of-the-art labs available for synthesis include: 400 MHz NMR, 600 MHz NMR, LC/MS system, multiple mass spectrometers (MALDI-TOF, ESI, ion mobility) and several HPLC systems, including preparative instruments, UPLC and HILIC. For computational studies, the High-Performance Compute (HPC) facility, part of the Utrecht Bioinformatics Center (UBC) (https://ubc.uu.nl/ubc.uu.nl/index.html), is utilized. A biolab is present for protein expression, and cellular experiments. More information For more information, please contact prof dr. Roland J. Pieters (https://www.uu.nl/staff/RJPieters) at [email protected]. Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Apply now At Utrecht University, we strive to be a place where everyone feels at home. We value colleagues with different backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including differences in culture, religion or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability and age. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/equity-diversity-inclusion) If you have any questions about accessibility, for example regarding your workplace David de Wiedgebouw (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/campus/buildings), the application process or your work, please contact us via our HR contact page (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/jobs/contact). Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose: your letter of motivation; your Curriculum vitae; the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references; a copy of your PhD certificate, or a letter from your university stating when your defence will take place. If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them. Some connections are fundamental – Be one of them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOvdUgWlqrU) #FundamentalConnection

Core Responsibilities

Discover and optimize Piezo1 inhibitors for sickle cell disease by combining virtual screening, AI techniques, computational medicinal chemistry, and organic synthesis. Collaborate with UMC Utrecht researchers to assay compounds and advance promising candidates toward translational research.

Requirements

Applicants must have a completed PhD in medicinal chemistry, experience synthesizing drug-like compounds, and experience with molecular modeling or docking. Experience creating and developing bioactive compounds and proficiency in written and spoken English are also required.

Benefits

• Holiday Pay
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Employment Terms
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Flexible Leave Arrangements
• Extra Vacation Days