Are you passionate about applying organic and medicinal chemistry to cutting-edge drug discovery? Are you excited by the transformative potential of generative AI in the drug discovery process?

Join the Molecular Machine Learning team - a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and international group pushing the frontiers of AI in drug discovery. This prestigious ERC-funded position will allow you to pioneer innovative, AI-driven approaches at the intersection of computation and wet-lab experiments, making a meaningful contribution to the future of drug discovery powered by generative AI.

Are you ready to bridge the worlds of organic/medicinal chemistry and generative AI? As a Postdoctoral Researcher in our Molecular Machine Learning team, you will play a pivotal role in pioneering generative drug discovery at the intersection of experiments and computation.

Your Challenge

You will design, synthesize, and test innovative small molecules suggested by generative AI, contributing to the development of new methodologies that combine machine learning and wet lab techniques. Your work will focus on transforming generative AI insights into tangible scientific breakthroughs, advancing our understanding of drug discovery processes.

Your Role

• Contribute to the ongoing research of the Molecular Machine Learning team (https://molecularmachinelearning.com/), a vibrant and international group led by Prof. Grisoni, that combines expertise in AI, chemistry, biology.
• Become familiar with the ongoing AI research in the team and actively contribute to advancing AI-driven methodologies for drug discovery.
• Collaborate closely with machine learning experts and chemical biologists to improve generative AI with experimental feedback.
• Play an integral part in translating cutting-edge AI research into real-world applications, with potential to address pressing health challenges.

Why Join Us?

This position, funded by the prestigious ERC Starting Grant, offers the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary, forward-thinking environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities. You will be embedded within the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) and the Eindhoven AI Systems Institute (EAISI), and collaborate with the Chemical and Computational Biology clusters of the Biomedical Engineering Department, placing you at the intersection of computational and experimental expertise. You will engage with the cutting-edge generative AI research ongoing in the team, with the opportunity to shape innovative drug discovery approaches. Your contributions will directly impact the future of drug discovery, enabling you to grow as both a scientist and innovator in this rapidly evolving field.

Essential:

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related field.
• Proven experience in small molecule synthesis and characterization.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, collaborating with computational scientists and experimental researchers.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with a track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Enthusiasm for innovative, cutting-edge research and solving complex scientific challenges.
• A keen interest in exploring how AI can drive innovation in drug discovery.
• Intrinsic motivation to take ownership of your projects, with a proactive and independent approach to research and problem-solving.

Desirable:

• Basic/intermediate coding skills (e.g., Python).
• Understanding of structure-activity relationships (SAR) and drug design principles.
• Experience with computational tools or machine learning approaches in drug discovery.
• Experience with biological assays to evaluate compound efficacy.
• Prior experience in collaborative, cross-functional research environments.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 3,378 max. € 5,331).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager Francesca Grisoni, Associate Professor, f.grisoni@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact our HR advise team, hradvicebme@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include:

• A cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position, highlighting how your experience aligns with the role.
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references, with the names and details of at least two academic references who can speak to your scientific and personal qualifications.
• A list of two to five self-selected 'best publications' that showcase your most significant contributions to the field of organic/medicinal chemistry or related areas.

Interviews will begin at the start of January, and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found. We encourage you to apply early.