Post Doctoral Research Associate - INTERNAL ONLY

Job id: 089226. Salary: £47,978 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 08 May 2024. Closing date: 14 May 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Institute of Pharmaceutical Science.

Contact details:Professor Miraz Rahman. [email protected]

Location: Waterloo Campus. Category: Research.

The Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (IPS) at KCL supports world class fundamental and applied research across the full spectrum of pharmaceutical science, from drug discovery through biophysical and biological characterization, pharmacology, formulation, drug delivery and use of medicines, with a strong culture of multi-disciplinary collaboration and links to clinical colleagues evidenced by awards of major grants from organisations such as MRC, BBSRC and NC3Rs. The medicinal chemistry laboratory of IPS has been recently refurbished and modernized with new equipment and facilities, and the selected candidate will be based at the medicinal chemistry laboratory at Franklin Wilkins Building.

Alternative TB treatments are urgently required to counter the global spread of drug resistance that is thwarting the control of tuberculosis. Disrupting metabolic pathways required for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to survive in the host presents an attractive route for addressing the TB crisis however there are still fundamental gaps in our knowledge. As such, this exciting MRC Impact Acceleration Award funded project will utilize synthetic chemistry approaches to develop new treatments for TB. We have identified a crucial enzyme in M. tuberculosis survival and nutrient consumption within human cells. Using novel medicinal chemistry, we have generated lead compounds targeting this enzyme, effectively killing M. tuberculosis. This project focuses on exploring the compounds' biological response and selecting a lead compound for the next stage of drug development. Collaboration with the TB Alliance and grant funding agencies will aid in translating this research into new TB drugs.

Applicants should be educated to PhD level, and have a good working knowledge of organic synthesis and the purification and characterisation of intermediates using different chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as preparative HPLC, HPLC/MS, NMR and IR. The Research Fellow will have an active interest in medicinal chemistry and tuberculosis, and will be expected to interact with external collaborators to realise the potential of this high impact project.

This is a full time post, and you will be offered an a fixed term contract until 10/12/2024.

 To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1.      PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry or Pharmacy near completion.

2.      Practical experience of  C-C, N-C and amide coupling reactions, protection-deprotection chemistry and multi-step synthesis

3.      Knowledge of small-molecule characterization using NMR, IR, UV, Mass and HPLC techniques

4.      Knowledge of software packages, including Word, Excel and chemical structure drawing and bibliographic programmes

5.      Knowledge of analytical and preparative LC_MS techniques

6.      Track record of published research in peer-reviewed journals of international standing

7.      Research experience  in synthetic and medicinal chemistry

Desirable criteria

1.      Experience in chemistry  laboratory management including electronic inventory maintenance

2.      Record of presenting scientific research at national/international conferences

3.      Experience in operating and maintaining LC-MS system

4.      Excellent interpersonal skills

5.      Record of supervising, appraising, coaching and mentoring of research students

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

*  Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.