"Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Medicinal Chemistry for Novel Antimicrobials"

Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Medicinal Chemistry for Novel Antimicrobials

University of Oxford - Centre for Medicines Discovery

Location: Centre for Medicines Discovery, NDM Research Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7FZ

The Centre for Medicines Discovery (CMD) is seeking a skilled and motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Medicinal Chemistry to contribute to an ambitious antimicrobial drug discovery programme funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation through the Antimicrobial Grand Challenges (Gr-ADI) initiative. You will join the anti-infectives group led by Dr Annette von Delft and work closely with the medicinal chemistry team headed by Professor Paul Brennan and Dr Tryfon Zarganis Tzitzikas. This role offers a unique opportunity to advance fragment-derived hits toward novel chemical scaffolds targeting Klebsiella, while contributing to the development of an innovative, AI-enabled, robot-assisted high-throughput chemistry platform in partnership with the Statistics Department and the Fast Forward Fragments team at Diamond Light Source.

You will design and synthesise small molecules informed by protein–ligand co-crystal structures, applying structure–activity relationship (SAR) thinking and literature-based route design to develop novel antimicrobial candidates. You will test and refine hypotheses, adapt synthetic procedures, and analyse spectroscopic and screening data to guide medicinal chemistry optimisation. Working within a multidisciplinary drug discovery environment, you will manage your own research activities, collaborate with chemists, biologists, and structural scientists, and provide regular data updates at project and stakeholder meetings. You will also contribute to manuscript preparation, data entry into electronic laboratory notebooks and databases, development of new project ideas, and the supervision and support of students and colleagues.

It is essential that you hold a PhD/DPhil (or be close to completion) in organic or medicinal chemistry or a closely related discipline. You must have hands-on experience in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and small-molecule characterisation, with the ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot chemical routes. You will be well-organised, maintain accurate electronic records, and be proficient in chemical software such as ChemDraw, MNova, and MS Office applications. Strong communication skills are essential, enabling you to present results clearly, contribute to publications, and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team. You will be adaptable, able to adjust to shifting project priorities, and keen to contribute to innovative antimicrobial discovery. Experience in fragment-based drug design, structure-based lead design, coding, high-throughput chemistry, or integrated drug discovery environments would be advantageous.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. Please restrict your documentation to your CV and supporting statement only. Any other documents will be requested at a later date. Interviews will take place the week commencing 16th of February.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract until 28th January 2029 and is funded by the Novo Nordisk Fonden.

Only applications received before 12 midday on 12 February 2026 will be considered. Please quote 183841 on all correspondence