PhD Position in Computer-Aided Drug Design of Carbohydrate Mimics
Publication date:
06 May 2025Workload:
100%- Place of work:Basel
Job summary
Join the University of Basel as a PhD student in drug design. Work on innovative carbohydrate mimics.
Tasks
- Conduct in silico design and molecular modeling of compounds.
- Collaborate with experimental teams for compound testing.
- Utilize techniques like molecular dynamics and machine learning.
Skills
- Master’s degree in related fields required; strong modeling background needed.
- Proficiency in molecular modeling tools and techniques essential.
- Programming skills in Python or Bash highly desirable.
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PhD Position in Computer-Aided Drug Design of Carbohydrate Mimics
Workplace Basel, North West Switzerland, Switzerland CategoryPreferred starting date is August 1, 2025.
We invite applications for a PhD position in computer-aided drug design at the Computational Pharmacy Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel. This position is part of an interdisciplinary project focused on the rational design of carbohydrate mimetics as antagonists of collectin-11, a key lectin in the innate immune system.
Project Overview
Collectin-11 is a pattern recognition receptor that initiates the lectin pathway of complement activation-an essential component of innate immunity. Beyond its role in pathogen defense, collectin-11 contributes to sterile inflammatory responses, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, making it an attractive target for novel anti-inflammatory therapies.
Your position
The successful candidate will be responsible for the
in silico design and molecular modeling of carbohydrate mimics with the goal of developing potent and selective collectin-11 antagonists. These compounds will be synthesized and tested by experimental collaborators within our team. The project involves techniques such as
molecular dynamics simulations, structure-based drug design (docking, scoring, QSARs), free energy calculations,
cheminformatics workflows, and machine learning.
Your profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and talented PhD candidate with a strong background in molecular modeling and a passion for applying computational methods to solve biologically relevant problems. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, computational biology, bioinformatics, or a related field.
- Excellent understanding of structural biology and molecular interactions, particularly in the context of protein-ligand recognition.
We offer you
Why Basel?The University of Basel-founded in 1460-is Switzerland’s oldest university and a globally recognized research institution with exceptional strength in the life sciences. Situated in the center of Europe’s premier pharmaceutical and biotech hub, Basel is home to leading companies in the field, and numerous cutting-edge startups, offering unique exposure to both academic excellence and industrial innovation.
- A fully funded PhD position (Swiss National Science Foundation) of total duration of 4 years
- Access to high-performance computing resources and state-of-the-art modeling tools
- A collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment
- Opportunities for advanced training, international conferences, and networking
- An inclusive university in a vibrant, international city
Application / Contact
Please send your application as a single PDF containing:
- A motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic transcripts
- Contact information for at least two academic referees
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Preferred starting date is August 1, 2025.
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