PhD Position in Medicinal Chemistry (Organic chemist with a passion for molecular modelling)

3 Jun 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Chemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

31 Jul 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38 hours/week

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2024-314

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5)-mediated signalling facilitates chemotaxis of immune cells. While it is infamously recognized as one of the two co-receptors enabling HIV entry, the detrimental influence of unbalanced CCR5 signalling is observed in a range of other conditions as well, encompassing graft-versus-host disease, cancer metastasis, and additional immune-related diseases. Currently only maraviroc has been approved as an extracellular CCR5 blocker, but this drug suffers from drawbacks, most notoriously hepatotoxicity. As a potential solution to overcome these drawbacks, the research lab has previously identified allosteric inhibitors, interacting with CCR5 on the intracellular side.In this project the aim is to identify additional scaffolds that interact with CCR5 at this intracellular side, and further develop them into novel potent and selective CCR5 signalling inhibitors.  
The responsibilities of the PhD student will be the following:

• Identification of novel hit material through virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations
  
• Chemical synthesis of libraries of potential inhibitors based on hits
  
• Performing SAR analysis and guiding molecular design strategies to optimize the most interesting compound classes

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer a fully funded 4-year PhD student position, in a dynamic scientific environment, at a top international university. 
The starting date is flexible and will be agreed upon between candidate and promoter, but the aim is to start no later than November 1, 2024.

Eligibility criteria

• We are looking for a highly driven candidate with a team player spirit
• Candidates must be able to perform research while adhering to the highest standards and integrity, work accurately and meet timelines
• Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological/Chemical Engineering or a related field
• Prior extensive experience in synthetic organic chemistry is a must
• Prior experience with a commercial molecular modelling software package (MOE, Schrödinger, …) is a strong plus
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and proficiency in English are required
• Communication skills in Dutch are not required but are a plus
  

We would like to strongly encourage candidates with demonstrable skills in both molecular modelling and organic synthesis to apply for this position.

Selection process

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Peter Verwilst, mail: [email protected] . All final applications must be made through the KU Leuven job portal. 
You can apply for this job no later than 31/07/2024 via the online application tool

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

State/Province

Vlaams Brabant

City

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

Street

Leuven

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://easyapply.jobs/r/Ykm35cY222bjTY1cpnbU

Contact

State/Province

Leuven

City

Vlaams Brabant

Street

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED