Research Fellow - Medicinal Chemistry

About the job:
The QuMed position will be hosted in an academic drug development housed within the Johnston Cancer Research Centre (JCRC), Queen's University Belfast. The lab is also part of the UKRI Future Medicines Institute focused on the development of new therapeutics to treat cancer. This project is jointly hosted by the School of Pharmacy through Co-PI Dr James Burrows. His research has identified a USP that is involved in lung cancer.

Dr Burrows lab hosts the compound screening for this project. Through an MRC/AZ funded screening program, we have identified in a number of 'active hits' being identified against a USP of significant interest. We are seeking an experienced synthetic organic chemist to play a role in validating and explore the SAR of these hits. The role will involve the synthesize and analysis of the generate compounds prior to testing within our biology team.

About the person:
We are seeking an experienced synthetic organic chemist to contribute as a proactive and dynamic member to a multi-disciplinary academic medicinal chemistry group towards the development of USP inhibitor. The successful candidate will work with the research team leadership to design, plan, and synthesize the identified hits and analogues thereof, for biological screening within our screening team. Applicants for the position must have a PhD in organic and/or medicinal chemistry with experience in organic chemistry synthesis.

They must also be able to demonstrate design, plan and the ability to carry out the synthesis of organic and bioactive molecules. In addition, the applicant must have experience with purification techniques, such as column chromatography and preparative HPLC, as well as being competent with analytical analysis of the generated materials by NMR and LC-MS. The role will also require the applicant to be able to generate and present research data to a wide audience range in terms of expertise, complete written reports and have experience in writing and contributing to research papers.

The applicant will ideally have experience in mentoring students in the lab and be willing to support research projects of BSc and MSc level students. To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information document on our website.