Julian Naglik

King’s College London is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Medicinal Chemistry within the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and the Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions . The project is a multidisciplinary drug-discovery collaboration between Professor Miraz Rahman and Professor Julian Naglik focused on discovering and optimising peptide and peptidomimetic inhibitors that neutralise candidalysin , a key virulence factor from Candida albicans . The post is based at Waterloo Campus, King’s College London in the United Kingdom and sits at the intersection of medicinal chemistry , organic synthesis , drug discovery , biophysics , and fungal pathogenesis . The successful candidate will design, synthesise, purify, and characterise inhibitor series, develop and optimise synthetic routes, and contribute to iterative structure-activity relationship-driven compound optimisation. Key technical expectations include hands-on experience with analytical and preparative HPLC , LC-MS , NMR , and related methods for confirming compound identity, purity, and quality. The role also involves working closely with computational chemistry and biological teams to prioritise compounds for testing and refinement. Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Organic Chemistry, or a closely related field; candidates who have recently submitted their thesis and are awaiting the award of the PhD may also apply. A strong record of research publications and proven experience in synthesis, compound characterisation, and medicinal chemistry optimisation are required. Experience in peptide or peptidomimetic chemistry is desirable but not essential. Funding and contract: the post is funded by the BBSRC , is full-time, and is offered on a fixed-term basis until 31 December 2028 . Salary is £45,031–£47,379 per annum inclusive of London weighting allowance. Application process: submit a CV and a supporting statement through the King’s College London recruitment portal. The closing date is 8 November 2026 , and interviews are expected in November/December . The advert notes that applications may close early if a strong field is received.