Postdoctoral Research Associate in Gorgulla Lab

A postdoctoral research associate position is available with Dr. Christoph Gorgulla.

This project aims to advance computational drug discovery by developing and applying innovative computational structure-based methods to identify novel small-molecule therapeutics. Tackling this challenge is critical for enabling more precise and efficient discovery efforts against complex biological targets that currently lack effective treatments, such as Parkinson's Disease. By combining machine learning with quantum chemistry and structure-based approaches, the project will accelerate the translation of computational predictions into experimentally validated drug leads.

Position Responsibilities:

• Design and execute computational screening campaigns to identify and prioritize candidate small molecules for experimental validation, with a focus on developing generalizable workflows and tools.
• Develop or refine methodologies that improve hit identification, pose prediction, or scoring accuracy, and apply them in drug discovery projects.
• Collaborate closely with other scientists within the lab and with external academic or industrial partners to translate computational predictions into testable hypotheses.
• Mentor graduate students or interns in computational techniques, reproducible workflows, and best practices in data-driven discovery.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant proposals, and presentations, with opportunities to co-lead sections related to methods or results.
• Participate in professional development activities, including conference attendance, skill-building workshops, or cross-disciplinary training.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

A Ph.D. in computational chemistry, structural biology, bioinformatics, computer science, pharmaceutical sciences, or a closely related field. Candidates with significant experience in molecular modeling, virtual screening, quantum chemistry, or machine learning for drug discovery are especially encouraged to apply.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Strong background in computational molecular modeling, computational biology, computational drug discovery, cheminformatics, computational/quantum chemistry, machine learning, or related quantitative disciplines.
• Proficiency in programming or scripting (e.g., Python, Bash, or similar) for workflow automation and data analysis.
• Familiarity with common tools for structure-based molecular modeling or virtual screening.
• Ability to think critically about experimental data and translate findings into actionable research directions.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present findings clearly to collaborators from diverse scientific backgrounds.
• Self-motivated, organized, able to contribute to a team-oriented environment.

Preferred Skills

• Experience developing or benchmarking computational methods, scoring functions, predictive models, or quantum chemistry.
• Machine learning or AI frameworks applied to molecular discovery.
• Familiarity with cloud or high-performance computing environments.
• Experience collaborating with experimental scientists or participating in multidisciplinary projects.
• Prior mentorship of students or involvement in team-based problem-solving.
• Interest in contributing to manuscripts, grant proposals, or open-source software.

About the lab and St. Jude:

Our lab operates with a mentorship philosophy centered on trust, curiosity, and growth: trainees receive as much guidance and support as needed, while also being encouraged to explore ideas independently and build ownership over their work. We strive for a kind, collaborative, and intellectually generous team culture—one where people challenge bold scientific problems together while celebrating each other’s success. Above all, we are united by a shared drive to tackle high-impact challenges in computational science that have the potential to transform human health.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. The first and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children.…