The University of Hong Kong
6 days ago
Postdoctoral Fellow in Ionisable Lipid Chemistry for Nucleic Acid Delivery The University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
A competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience is offered for a full-time temporary appointment of one year, with possible renewal subject to funding availability and project progress. Benefits include annual leave, medical benefits, and free access to on-campus gyms and libraries.
Deadline
Jan 31, 2027
Country
Hong Kong
University
The University of Hong Kong
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About this position
The University of Hong Kong is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Ionisable Lipid Chemistry for Nucleic Acid Delivery to join the JC STEM Lab of Nanomedicine for Advanced Therapy, led by Professor Khuloud Al-Jamal, in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy.
The project focuses on designing, synthesising, and optimising novel ionisable lipids for lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations. Research will address structure-activity relationships, nucleic acid encapsulation, endosomal escape, biocompatibility, particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, payload stability, and delivery performance. Applications include gene editing and nucleic acid therapeutics for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Responsibilities include multi-step organic synthesis and scale-up, lipid purification and characterisation using NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC, LNP formulation with helper lipids, PEG-lipids, and cholesterol, physicochemical testing, in vitro delivery and cytotoxicity assays, technical reporting, manuscript and patent preparation, collaboration with molecular biology and in vivo teams, and supervision of junior researchers.
Applicants need a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field, with lipid or organic synthesis expertise. Experience with ionisable lipid design, LNP formulation, analytical characterisation, nucleic acid loading, stability, and transfection or gene-editing assays is expected. High-throughput lipid screening, microfluidic manufacturing, computational modelling, biophysical assays, and intellectual-property experience are advantageous. Excellent English communication, IT, research-management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills are required.
The full-time appointment is for one year initially, with possible renewal subject to funding and project progress. A competitive salary, annual leave, medical benefits, and access to campus gyms and libraries are provided. Apply online with an up-to-date CV; applications close on January 31, 2027, or earlier if the post is filled.
Funding details
A competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience is offered for a full-time temporary appointment of one year, with possible renewal subject to funding availability and project progress. Benefits include annual leave, medical benefits, and free access to on-campus gyms and libraries.
What's required
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field, specializing in lipid or organic synthesis. Applicants should demonstrate a track record of designing and synthesizing novel lipid molecules through publications or patents; strong knowledge of lipid chemistry and structure-activity relationships; hands-on experience with multi-step organic synthesis, purification, NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, lipid nanoparticle formulation, dynamic light scattering, and evaluation of nucleic acid loading, stability, cytotoxicity, transfection, or gene-editing performance. Desirable experience includes high-throughput or combinatorial lipid synthesis, microfluidic LNP manufacturing, computational structure-function modelling, biophysical endosomal escape assays, regulatory or intellectual-property considerations, and patent applications. Excellent written and spoken English, IT and data-management skills, communication ability, grant-writing capability, independent problem-solving, teamwork, supervision, and willingness to learn are required.
How to apply
Apply online through the University of Hong Kong application portal and upload an up-to-date CV. Applications are reviewed from the time of submission until January 31, 2027, or until the position is filled, whichever comes first.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.