Postdoc Position in Development of a mGlu2 PET tracer Full-time

Postdoctoral Position in Medicinal Chemistry

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 two-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 September 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Our research In the Bunch group we have a long track-record and strong research interest in development of novel tool compounds and/or drug candidates for the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, hereto, we also work with great enthusiasm on development of new synthetic methodology relevant for medicinal chemistry. The Bunch group has a strong international profile and welcomes students and dedicated scientists with the ambition to make a positive difference for humanity.

Your job The objective of the research project is to develop a mGlu2 PET tracer of picomolar and super-selective mGlu2 agonist LBG30300 (J. Med. Chem. 2024, 67, 1314–1326). Your work is to revise the synthetic route to fit with radio-chemistry synthesis of the PET tracer and carry out the synthesis. While the cold synthetic work will be carried out at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, the radio-chemistry work will be carried out at Herlev University Hospital in collaboration with Head of Radiochemistry Tri H. V. Huynh.

The position also requires supervision of MSc students as well as other teaching obligations which 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:

• You have a PhD degree in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry (or expect to obtain before the starting date)
• Documented skills and competences in target oriented multi-step synthesis and SAR studies within the CNS area
• Strong analytical skills including structural elucidation by NMR, LCMS and HRMS
• Documented competences in use of computational medicinal chemistry in ligand design
• Excellent English skills, both written and spoken

• Insight into methodologies applied in radio-chemistry
• Documented experience within methodology development

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 2 year, with the possibility of extension. The starting date is September 1, 2026 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 39,237 DKK/approx. 5,245 EUR (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % 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 2025.

Questions For further information please contact Professor Lennart Bunch; e-mail: lebu@sund.ku.dk

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: Sunday May 26, 2026, 23.59 pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not fulfil to the above listed requirements.