Postdoctoral Research Associate in Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in organic chemistry and chemical biology. The PDRA will join the Programme Grant team in the laboratories of Professor Stuart Conway at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as part of the ‘Chemical biology tools for investigating the chemistry of REDOX stress’ Programme. This Programme brings together 9 academic groups, located across three sites in Oxford, King’s College London, UCLA, and industrial partners including GSK and GE Healthcare. The aim of the Programme is to develop tools to image and study the REDOX environment in cells, tissues and in vivo, using a range of imaging modalities, to better understand and predict disease. 

Find out more about the Programme Grant:  

Recent publications:

Wallabregue et al.  Two color imaging of different hypoxia levels in cancer cells. J. Am. Chem. Soc.,2023,145, 2572–2583.

Skwarska, Calder et al. Development and pre-clinical testing of a novel hypoxia-activated pan KDAC inhibitor. Cell Chemical Biology, 2021, 28, 1258. 

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will join the Programme Grant team and be responsible for the design and synthesis of small molecule probes for imaging the cellular REDOX environment. They will be involved in the design, synthesis, and initial in vitro evaluation of (mainly luminescence-based) chemical probes to image components of the REDOX environment.

Applicants must hold a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry or chemical biology, (or have submitted prior to starting the position). The position is ideal for someone with a PhD in organic chemistry and/or chemical biology who is excited to apply their synthesis skills to the study of complex biological systems. Experience of developing small molecule probes to study biological hypoxia is highly desirable.  You will be expected to manage your own academic research and administrative activities. The post will require small-scale project management to co-ordinate multiple aspects of the project to meet deadlines. The postholder will take on a leadership role within the group by acting as lab manager to support and supervise PhD students and undergraduates undertaking research.

This is a full time position, available immediately, until 30 July 2025.

The post will be based in the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charles E. Young Drive, East, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

Applications are to be made online. You will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. You will be asked to provide proof of your right-to-work in the US.  If you do not currently have the right to work in the US, you must be eligible for a J1 sponsorship visa and be successful in obtaining one with support from UCLA.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 midday (UK time), Friday 8 September 2023. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.