Research Associate – Chemical Biologist (Fixed Term) Part-time NEW

Postdoctoral Chemical Biologist

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral chemical biologist to work with Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian on methods for detecting small molecule-target interactions in biology and developing mono- and bi-functional small molecules to target specific, contextual biology. The programme of work will integrate chemistry with molecular biology to detect the interactions of small molecules with biomolecular targets (DNA, proteins or RNA) and their complexes in vitro and in cells. This is a new research programme in the lab, though it will exploit some of the genomic methods developed in the lab over several decades. See Balasubramanian for further information.

Applicants must have a background in the design/synthesis of small organic molecules and chemical biology. Experience in chemistry, biochemistry and nucleic acids would be highly desirable. We seek a motivated individual with good communication skills and a capacity for innovation and creativity, who is able to work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Candidates should have (or be about to receive) a PhD in a relevant discipline.

The position is available from 1st March 2026.

Please ensure that you upload a 2-page Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter that explains your motivations for the position and publications list in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For queries regarding this post, please contact Jo Lockhart, Science Administrator to the Balasubramanian group, email: BalasubramanianRecruitment@ch.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference MA49597 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Key Information

Department/location: Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry

Salary: £33,002-£46,049

Reference: MA49597

Category: Research

Date published: 1 May 2026

Closing date: 4 June 2026