Postdoctoral position in Medicinal Chemistry

Are you interested in working with organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Uppsala University is a strong and international research environment. The department has about 85 employees and here, doctoral students, teachers, researchers and administrators work closely together in a creative and open environment. 

The position will be based at the Drug Design and Discovery research group at Uppsala University. The research group's research is primarily focused on the design and synthesis of molecules in early drug discovery and the development of new methods for organic synthesis. The research group is part of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and consists of approximately fifteen senior researchers and doctoral students, many with international backgrounds. Then project is a joint collaboration with the Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry research group that focuses on chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Duties  
The application of oxidative enzymes in preparative organic synthesis provides methods for functionalising organic molecules in an efficient and selective manner. This postdoc project will explore immobilised enzymes as a tool for the late-stage modification of complex molecules. Goals here include generating putative drug metabolites for identification and use as synthetic standards, and modifying drug hits and natural products to provide analogues for medicinal chemistry.

The main duties of the applicant are to participate in and lead research projects. The work duties can also include supervision of students, teaching and other departmental duties. The position involves documentation of the laboratory work as well as planning and evaluation of data and being partly responsible for compiling manuscripts. You are also expected to compile and present at group meetings and seminars.

Requirements 
PhD degree in chemistry, biology, biomedicine, pharmacy or related fields or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in a relevant field. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed their degree no more than three years before the deadline for applications. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.  

High competence in organic synthesis and organic chemical structural analysis is a requirement.  The applicant must have excellent skills in communication and teamwork, and be fluent in English. The applicant is expected to work independently and be able to take own initiatives. 

Additional qualifications 
Previous experience with enyzme catalysis and/or complex molecule synthesis is a merit.

About the employment 
The employment is a temporary position of two years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date as soon as possible or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the research project, please contact:  Associate Professor Lindon Moodie, lindon.moodie@ilk.uu.se

For further information about the position, please contact: Head of Department Mikael Hedeland, mikael.hedeland@ilk.uu.se

In this recruitment we have replaced the cover letter with questions that you are asked to answer when making your application. The answers will be used as a part of the selection process. The application should also include a CV, a summary of your previous research experience (max 2 pages), and copies of certificates of higher academic degrees. Please provide a recommendation letter or the contact details (name, e-mail, phone number) for at least one reference such as previous employers or colleagues. The application can be written in English or Swedish. Selection of candidates is based on qualifications, previous experience, and personal suitability.

Please submit your application by 2 February 2026, UFV-PA 2025/3997. 

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