Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Part-time

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry to join a research team developing novel molecules to combat drug-resistant infections, working under the supervision of Associate Professor Thomas Lanyon-Hogg for a period of 24 months. This project is funded by the Wellcome Trust and will be carried out in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Oxford.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with world-leading researchers and contribute to the development of innovative new approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance, which is a significant area of unmet medical need globally.

The post holder will be responsible for design, synthesis and biological testing/target profiling of small molecule inhibitors and chemical probes. The post holder will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments, analysing data, communicating findings with the wider project team, preparing publications, and presenting results externally. The post holder will also contribute to management of the TLH laboratory and provide guidance to junior members of the research group, including PhD and undergraduate project students.

The appointee will be expected to manage their own academic research and administrative activities with a high degree of autonomy and independence. This role will involve small-scale project management to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work and team members, in order to deliver results for presentations, publications, and patents. The appointee will analyse scientific data from a variety of sources to develop the project, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as required.

You should hold a PhD/DPhil in medicinal chemistry or chemical biology, or be close to completion, with extensive practical experience. Other essential criteria include experience in design, synthesis, characterisation of small molecule inhibitors and peptides; experience in using structural guidance for ligand design; and experience in biochemical and cellular assays, including target profiling/target engagement.

The post is available from 1 November 2026 and is offered on a fixed-term basis, funded by the Wellcome Trust. The closing date for applications is 12noon on Wednesday 30 September 2026.