Postdoctoral Researcher in Peptide- Drug Discovery

Organisation/Company ETH Zürich Research Field Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Other Pharmacological sciences » Other Physics » Biophysics Physics » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Country Switzerland Final date to receive applications 23 Feb 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Postdoctoral Researcher in Peptide-Based Drug Discovery

The research group for Peptide-Based Drug Discovery (Prof. Nathalie M. Grob) is recruiting an exceptional and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher for a collaboration with the research group for Drug Formulation & Delivery (Prof. Jean-Christophe Leroux). The project is fully funded by Innosuisse for 18 months and will investigate targeted drug delivery. The work will involve affinity-based peptide discovery, peptide chemistry, bioactivity profiling using advanced cellular experiments, proteomics, and microscopy.

The successful candidate will:

• Collaborate with experts in protein engineering and drug delivery on an innovative research challenge.
• Apply their expertise in designing structure-based peptide ligands and peptide conjugates.
• Develop affinity-based screens with combinatorial peptide libraries.
• Synthesize, purify, and characterize peptides and peptide conjugates.
• Evaluate the use of de novo approaches for hit discovery.
• Study the bioactivity of synthesized compounds in biophysical and cell-based assays.
• Contribute to the teaching and supervision of junior researchers in the group.

Profile

We are looking for a candidate with an intrinsic interest in peptide therapeutics, a passion for drug discovery and development, and the ability to integrate effectively into a multidisciplinary team through collaborative exchange and discussions.

Requirements:

• PhD in Chemical Biology, Peptide Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• Profound expertise in the (solid-phase) synthesis of peptides and peptide conjugates, purification, and analytical characterization.
• Previous experience in proteomics or peptide sequencing by mass spectrometry.
• Hands‑on skills in bioactivity profiling via biophysical methods (fluorescence polarization, surface plasmon resonance, biolayer interferometry, isothermal titration calorimetry, or similar) and cellular assays.
• Expertise in bioinformatics and programming is advantageous.
• Experience in structure‑based design or generative models is a plus.
• First‑author publication(s) in peer‑reviewed journals relevant to the profile (published or submitted).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team, independently develop a research project, and meet defined milestones.

The candidate must be able to start the project by 01.03.2026.

• Your career with impact:
  Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
• Your job with impact:
  Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society

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We look forward to receiving your application via the ETH job portal by December 12, 2026, with the following documents:

• CV and publication list
• University degree, transcripts, and certificates
• Names and contact details of two referees

Further information about the research group can be found on our…