Postdoc in Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology

We are looking for a highly motivated, dynamic and ambitious postdoc for a 2-year position to commence on June 1st or shortly thereafter. The position is part of the GrandSolution project Astrathera, which aims to develop astatinated radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of advanced cancers, including neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The postdoc will be embedded in a large translational consortium focused on bringing these radiopharmaceuticals into the clinic.

The consortium brings together expertise in pharmacy, physics, CMC, GMP manufacturing, and biological evaluation. Within this interdisciplinary framework, your primary task will be to explore structure–activity relationships (SAR) to design and optimize astatinated drug candidates for the treatment of metastatic NETs. You will conduct medicinal chemistry studies to identify and optimize lead structures, with a strong focus on improving pharmacokinetic properties to achieve high tumor uptake and rapid clearance from healthy tissues. You will gain hands-on experience in radiolabeling and work closely with biologists and pharmacists who will evaluate your compounds in relevant preclinical cancer models.

Information on the department can be found at: http://www.ilf.ku.dk

 

Our research

Our research group develops radiopharmaceuticals for theranostic applications, with a focus on radiohalogens. We pursue a bench-to-bedside approach, spanning molecular design, radiochemistry, in vitro and in vivo evaluation, molecular imaging, and therapy studies. Using structure–activity relationship analysis, advanced radiolabelling technologies, and machine-learning-supported optimization, we aim to improve selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy. Our work primarily targets small-molecule radiopharmaceuticals, while also including larger biomolecules such as monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies, particularly via pretargeted strategies. A unique strength of the group is the routine use of astatine-211 for targeted α-therapy. Our research is interdisciplinary, team-oriented, and embedded in a strong international network, with three successful clinical translations to date.

 

Your job

In this position, you will take a leading role in advancing astatine-211 radiopharmaceutical design beyond established SAR workflows. Your work will focus on the development of novel radiolabeling concepts and molecular architectures that address key limitations of current ²¹¹At-based compounds.

A major responsibility will be the design of chemically and biologically stable astatinated motifs, including strategies to strengthen the ²¹¹At–carbon bond and reduce in vivo deastatination. You will further contribute to the development of new linker and scaffold technologies aimed at optimizing biodistribution, with particular emphasis on reducing renal uptake and retention, enhancing tumor accumulation, and enabling rapid clearance from non-target tissues.

You will work closely with radiochemists, biologists, pharmacists, and CMC experts to ensure that newly developed compounds are translationally relevant from an early stage. Through this role, you will help establish next-generation ²¹¹At-based radiopharmaceutical platforms and directly support their progression toward clinical application within a highly collaborative, international consortium.

 

The position offers exposure to rare radionuclide chemistry, translational development, and close interaction with clinical partners, providing strong preparation for an independent academic or industry career.

 

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in medicinal or organic chemistry and a clear interest in translational drug development.

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in medicinal chemistry or organic chemistry
• You have strong hands-on experience with multi-step organic synthesis and compound purification/characterization
• You demonstrate a clear interest in drug development and translational, bench-to-bedside research
• You have a high level of independence, motivation, and problem-solving ability
• You possess excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken
• Minium two first-author peer-reviewed publications

Desirable experience and skills:

·     Experience or interest in radiopharmaceutical chemistry (prior experience not required)

·     Experience with synthetic modification of biopharmaceuticals or complex molecular systems                                                                                     

·     Interest in grant writing, project development, and scientific leadership

 

We value curiosity, scientific ambition, and a willingness to engage with challenging problems at the interface of chemistry, biology, and medicine.

 

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories for organic chemistry, radiochemistry and evaluation experiments.

 

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week. The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The starting date is June 1st or shortly thereafter.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 39,000 DKK/approx. 5.200 EUR (October 2021 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

 

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

 

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

 

Questions

For further information please contact Matthias Herth; Matthias.herth@sund.ku.dk; www.sund.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

 

Application procedure

Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications.

 

Deadline for applications: March, 1sT 2026, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

 

The further process

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

 

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

 

Interviews are expected to be held in the end of March.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.