Postdoctoral Researcher - GPCR Drug Discovery

3w3 weeks ago

Universiteit Leiden

Leiden, NL · Full-time · €42,552 – €66,456

About this role

The Faculty of Science and Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research seek a Postdoctoral candidate for next generation GPCR drug discovery. Advance an innovative drug discovery workflow to identify membrane receptor ligands. This project builds on recent works from the Pomplun and Heitman labs at Leiden University.

Develop expression and purification methodologies for GPCRs in interdisciplinary collaboration. Optimize affinity selection protocols against solubilized or bead-immobilized GPCRs. Screen combinatorial small molecule libraries and validate hits in functional assays.

Work in modern laboratories of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research within Leiden’s Bio Science Park. Access state-of-the-art equipment including cell culture, molecular biology labs, automated synthesizers, plate readers, and biolayer interferometry. Join a dynamic international environment committed to fundamental knowledge and societal challenges.

Receive supportive supervision for the project, publication process, and future career. Benefit from embedding in the Oncode Accelerator program within a high-profile Dutch drug discovery system. Contribute to expanding bio-pharmaceutical sciences at a world-class faculty.

Requirements

PhD in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or a related field
Strong background in protein expression and purification, ideally membrane proteins
Affinity for early drug discovery
Basic coding skills (e.g., Python, KNIME, or similar)
Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
Scientific curiosity, creativity, and a goal-oriented research mindset
Appreciation for interdisciplinary work and a proactive collaborative attitude
Excellent English communication skills and strong interpersonal abilities

Responsibilities

Develop expression and purification methodologies for GPCRs
Develop and optimize affinity selection protocols against solubilized/bead immobilized GPCRs
Screen combinatorial small molecule libraries in the developed workflows
Validate hits in functional biochemical and cellular assays
Advance innovative drug discovery workflow for membrane receptor ligands

Benefits

Modern laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment including cell culture, molecular biology lab, automated synthesizers, plate readers, biolayer interferometry
Supportive supervision for project, publication process, and future career
Embedding in Oncode Accelerator program and high-profile Dutch drug discovery system
Dynamic international environment in Leiden’s Bio Science Park