Research Fellow (Medicinal Chemistry)

About the role:

This role requires an experienced chemist/medicinal chemist to work on the design, synthesis and analytical evaluation of a series of small molecule protease inhibitors. The post will be held in the drug discovery lab within the Johnston Cancer Research Centre at Queen's University Belfast. This is a short term post with the potential for extension.

About the person:

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Degree in Biomedical Sciences or related subject.
• Normally have or be about to obtain* a relevant PhD (must be obtained within 3 months of the start date of the post).
• Significant, relevant research experience.
• Experience in design, synthesis and biochemical screening of small molecules.
• Experience in compound data analysis.
• Experience in small molecule SAR exploration.
• Experience in developing protease inhibitors.
• Experience in cell culture and associated assays including downstream bio-marker analysis.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

This post is available until 6^th April 2026. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more on our website.

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit our website.

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application.

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