Postdoc in New Synthetic Methodology for Medicinal Chemistry Research

Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a talented and creative chemist for a one-year postdoc position with the possibility of extension. The advertised position is in the Bunch Group, which is anchored in the medicinal chemistry research section in the department. Start date is March 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Information on the department can be found at: Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology – University of Copenhagen

Our research
In the Bunch group we have a strong focus on basic research and with this position we will strengthen our work within discovery and development of new synthetic methodology relevant for medicinal chemistry. We also have a long track-record in medicinal chemistry research with focus on discovery of novel chemical tool compounds for neuroscience research. The Bunch group has a strong international profile and welcomes students and dedicated scientists with the ambition to make a positive difference for humanity.

For a comprehensive overview of research activities, please visit the Bunch group homepage at: https://drug.ku.dk/research-sections/medicinal-chemistry/bunch-group/

Your job
The present research project takes point in our recent discovery of an unpresented functional group transformation. This synthetic transformation has the potential to impact medicinal chemistry research in several ways. Your tasks will be to investigate scope and limitation including studies of additional functional group transformations, chemo-selectivity, expedite access to structural diversity and mechanistic studies. Supervision of MSc students as well as other teaching obligations amounts up to approximately 10 percent of the workload.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry
• Strong analytical skills including structural elucidation by NMR, LCMS and HRMS
• Must be highly motivated to drive research forward independently
• Proficient personal communication skills and ability to work independently as well as in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Documented experience within methodology development
• Computational chemistry applied to mechanistic studies

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and all state-of-the-art equipment for synthesis.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension. The starting date is March 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,575 DKK/approx. 5,140 EUR (April 2024 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Professor Lennart Bunch; e-mail: [email protected]

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Letter of motivation (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of your PhD certificate
4. List of publications (divided into accepted and submitted/in preparation)

Deadline for applications: Thursday February 2, 2025, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.