Research Fellow

We are seeking a Research Fellow to lead the computational chemistry aspects of a BBSRC-funded collaborative project ‘Unlocking GPCR Signalling Bias: A Multiscale Approach to GPR84 and Beyond’. The role-holder will work closely with medicinal chemists at University of Oxford and pharmacologists at University of Glasgow, applying virtual screening, machine learning, AI-driven generative chemistry, pharmacophore modelling, and molecular dynamics simulations to design novel GPR84 ligands with predictable signalling bias profiles.

About the person:

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

• Hold or be about to obtain* (must be obtained* within 3 months of start date in post) PhD in computational chemistry, computational biology, structural biology, biophysics, pharmacology or related discipline.
• Significant experience in virtual screening and molecular docking.
• Experience with machine learning/AI approaches in drug discovery.
• Familiarity with generative chemistry platforms. Experience with pharmacophore modelling.
• Experience with molecular dynamics simulations. Strong scripting skills (Python, Bash).
• Experience with HPC environments
• Knowledge of GPCR structure, function, and signalling pathways.

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 for 18 months. 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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