PhD Position in Carbohydrate-Based Synthesis & Assay Development

Starting date July 2025 (or upon agreement).

The Molecular Pharmacy group at the Department ofPharmaceutical Sciences isfocused on early stages of drug discovery, includingtarget identification andvalidation, the design, screening,characterization and optimization of moleculeswith drug-like properties, and the development of novel therapeuticconcepts. The group follows a highlyintegrated and multidisciplinary approach, including drug design, compoundsynthesis and characterization, protein engineering,target preparation, assaydevelopment, and interactionanalyses.

Your position

A 4-year PhD position is available from July 1, 2025 in the Molecular Pharmacy group. The project will incorporate multidisciplinary techniques to develop novel carbohydrate- based therapeutics. Research activities will involve the chemical synthesis of carbohydrate- based molecules (’glycomimetics’), protein production, and assay development using a diverse platform of techniques available to the Molecular Pharmacy team. The candidate will learn and develop proficiency in both chemistry and molecular biology techniques, and will collaborate closely with other members of our multidisciplinary team.
Main project responsibilities include:

• design & synthesis of carbohydrate- based molecules (’glycomimetics’)
• characterization of intermediates & products using 1D and 2D NMR, MS, and other techniques
• protein engineering & protein production
• bioassay development (e.g., nanoDSF, SPR, MST, ITC)
• conducting routine maintenance and troubleshooting of lab equipment
• support of day-to-day organizational and safety aspects of a laboratory
• compiling and presenting results, and writing reports
• training and supervision of junior researchers (lab courses, MSc students, internships)

Your profile

Candidates should hold an MSc degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline from a recognized institution. Candidates should enjoy working in a team environment, and proficiency in English is expected.

We offer you

The position is funded for 4 years; salaries are according to the guidelines of the University of Basel. The workplace is based at the Pharmazentrum of the University of Basel, a well-equipped and innovative workplace with teams researching various aspects of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

• motivation letter
• detailed CV
• short description of previous research/laboratory experience (2 pages)
• contact details for two references