Postdoctoral Scholarship in Chemistry (University of Antwerp)

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (FBD) is looking for a full-time (100%) postdoctoral scholarship holder in the field of Medicinal Chemistry. Research topic Background research group: The Medicinal Chemistry Group (UAMC) has a longstanding expertise with developing small molecule ligands (inhibitors, activity-based probes) for proteases that are involved in human disease. In this project you will develop ligands for proline selective proteases that have key roles in tumor biology. Developed ligands will be evaluated for target affinity and selectivity in collaboration with the Medical Biochemistry group at University of Antwerp. Promising molecules will be radiolabeled, in collaboration with the Radiopharmacy and Nuclear Medicine groups in the University hospital. The best molecules will be evaluated in animal models of cancer. Research topic for this postdoc position: 1) synthetic lead optimization of inhibitors and activity-based probes for tumor-associated proteases and 2) synthetic optimization of ‘cold’ labeling procedures for radioactive probes. Next to experimental research, you will write project reports for your supervisor on a regular basis, write scientific papers and support grant writing. Profile You hold a PhD in organic or medicinal chemistry, or equivalent from a non-Belgian institution (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work). Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies. You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation. You have strong communication skills and are a team player. You can speak and write fluently in English. You have a sound knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and are willing to participate to the biochemical and biochemical characterization of synthesized molecules. You are willing to supervise bachelor, master and/or PhD students who are working on your research topic. What we offer We offer a full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder for a period of one year, eventually renewable for one more year (after positive evaluation). The planned start date is April 15th, 2025 or as soon as possible after that date. Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP). You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting. You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken (Antwerp, Wilrijk) in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. You will work in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here. Want to apply? You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including February 13 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter your academic CV The selection committee reviews all applications on Monday February 17 2025 and preselects candidates who are invited for an online selection interview. The selection interview (25 minutes) will take place in the afternoon of February 19, 2025 (please block this date in your agenda). The selected candidate will be informed about the interview on Monday February 17. If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Pieter Van der Veken (professor of Medicinal Chemistry, vanderveken@uantwerpen.be). The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Physicaloxy

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (FBD) is looking for a full-time (100%) postdoctoral scholarship holder in the field of Medicinal Chemistry.

Research topic

Background research group: The Medicinal Chemistry Group (UAMC) has a longstanding expertise with developing small molecule ligands (inhibitors, activity-based probes) for proteases that are involved in human disease. In this project you will develop ligands for proline selective proteases that have key roles in tumor biology. Developed ligands will be evaluated for target affinity and selectivity in collaboration with the Medical Biochemistry group at University of Antwerp. Promising molecules will be radiolabeled, in collaboration with the Radiopharmacy and Nuclear Medicine groups in the University hospital. The best molecules will be evaluated in animal models of cancer.
Research topic for this postdoc position: 1) synthetic lead optimization of inhibitors and activity-based probes for tumor-associated proteases and 2) synthetic optimization of ‘cold’ labeling procedures for radioactive probes.
Next to experimental research, you will write project reports for your supervisor on a regular basis, write scientific papers and support grant writing.

Profile

You hold a PhD in organic or medicinal chemistry, or equivalent from a non-Belgian institution (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work).
Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
You have strong communication skills and are a team player.
You can speak and write fluently in English.
You have a sound knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and are willing to participate to the biochemical and biochemical characterization of synthesized molecules.
You are willing to supervise bachelor, master and/or PhD students who are working on your research topic.

What we offer

We offer a full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder for a period of one year, eventually renewable for one more year (after positive evaluation).
The planned start date is April 15th, 2025 or as soon as possible after that date.
Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken (Antwerp, Wilrijk) in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
You will work in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including February 13 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
a motivation letter
your academic CV
The selection committee reviews all applications on Monday February 17 2025 and preselects candidates who are invited for an online selection interview. The selection interview (25 minutes) will take place in the afternoon of February 19, 2025 (please block this date in your agenda). The selected candidate will be informed about the interview on Monday February 17.
If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Pieter Van der Veken (professor of Medicinal Chemistry, vanderveken@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Physicaloxy

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