Explore global chemistry research careers in 2025! Postdoc and PhD positions available in medicinal chemistry at Newcastle University (UK), computational chemistry at University of Fribourg (Switzerland), and synthetic organic chemistry at Queen’s University Belfast. Apply now for fully funded, high-salary international opportunities.
🌍 Global Research Career Opportunities in Chemistry – Postdoc & PhD Positions
Chemistry research continues to be a driving force in innovation across drug discovery, quantum chemistry, materials science, and molecular design. In September 2025, three major academic institutions – Newcastle University (UK), University of Fribourg (Switzerland), and Queen’s University Belfast (UK) – have announced exciting PhD and Postdoctoral opportunities for ambitious researchers in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and computational/theoretical chemistry.
This comprehensive guide brings together job details, eligibility, benefits, application process, and career growth prospects for each position. If you are a chemist looking for international research opportunities, this article will help you find the right fit.
🔹 1. Postdoctoral Opportunity in Medicinal Chemistry – Newcastle University (UK)
📍 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
🧾 Reference ID: 28528
📅 Application Closing Date: 24 September 2025
💼 Contract: Fixed Term (12 months), Full Time
💰 Salary Range:
- Research Assistant: £33,002 – £34,610 per annum
- Research Associate: £35,608 – £46,049 per annum
🧪 About the Role
This postdoctoral position is designed for a synthetic organic chemist who wishes to transition into medicinal chemistry and gain experience in drug discovery projects targeting cancer. The role focuses on designing and synthesizing bioactive compounds for pre-clinical testing, contributing directly to anti-cancer drug pipelines.
You will join the Medicinal Chemistry Section of the Newcastle University Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery, working alongside Prof. Mike Waring and Dr. Hannah Stewart. This multidisciplinary research team integrates chemists, bioscientists, and structural biologists with a strong track record of translating discoveries into medicines.
🔬 Key Responsibilities
- Design and synthesis of target molecules for biological assays
- Development of optimized synthetic routes for drug candidates
- Purification and full characterization using NMR, MS, and other techniques
- Contributing to structure-based drug design approaches
- Mentoring junior lab members and supporting collaborative research culture
- Maintaining high-quality lab records and ensuring safety compliance
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
- Essential:
- PhD (awarded or near completion) in organic/medicinal chemistry
- Expertise in multi-step organic synthesis and analytical methods
- Familiarity with drug discovery workflows
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Desirable:
- Experience with medicinal chemistry optimization projects
- Strong publication record in organic or medicinal chemistry journals
🌟 Career Benefits
- Experience in academic–industry collaborative research
- Opportunity to contribute to Cancer Research Horizons – Therapeutic Innovation (CRH-TI)
- Training in modern drug design & optimization methodologies
- Competitive UK academic salary with pension and wellbeing benefits
👉 Apply Here: Newcastle University Jobs Portal
🔹 2. PhD & Postdoctoral Positions in Computational Chemistry – University of Fribourg (Switzerland)
📍 Location: Fribourg, Switzerland
🧾 Funding Sources: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) + ERC Starting Grant
📅 Preferred Start Date: November 2025 (flexible)
💼 Positions Available:
- 2 × Fully Funded PhD Positions (4 years)
- 1 × Postdoctoral Research Position
🧪 About the Role
The Theoretical Chemistry Group at UNIFR, led by Dr. Stefan Vuckovic, is recruiting talented PhD students and a postdoctoral researcher to work at the intersection of quantum chemistry and machine learning (ML × DFT).
The group focuses on next-generation density functional theory (DFT) development to address strong electronic correlation, noncovalent interactions, and catalysis challenges. The project aims to design innovative quantum chemistry algorithms and machine learning models for real-world applications in materials science, metal–organic frameworks, and enzymatic catalysis.
🔬 Key Responsibilities
- Development and implementation of ML-enhanced DFT methods
- Performing high-level quantum chemistry simulations (CASSCF, CASPT2, FCI)
- Coding and algorithm development (Python, PyTorch preferred)
- Application of methods to catalysis and material design
- Publishing in leading computational chemistry journals
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
- For Postdoc:
- PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Computational Science, or related field
- Expertise in quantum chemistry methods, ML implementations, or high-level electronic structure methods
- Strong coding skills (Python, PyTorch)
- For PhD:
- Master’s degree in Chemistry, Physics, or related disciplines
- Basic knowledge of computational chemistry/ML desirable
- Motivation to learn advanced DFT and machine learning methods
🌟 Career Benefits
- Fully funded positions (SNSF/ERC grants)
- Access to international collaborations (CECAM, Lausanne)
- Interdisciplinary mentorship and career development
- Lower cost of living compared to nearby Swiss cities
- Networking with Europe’s leading quantum chemistry researchers
👉 Apply by sending CV, cover letter, and references to:
📧 stefan.vuckovic@unifr.ch
📄 Official Job Notification PDF
🔹 3. Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Synthetic Chemistry – Queen’s University Belfast (UK)
📍 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
🧾 Job Reference: 25/112823
📅 Application Closing Date: 15 September 2025
💼 Contract Duration: 3 years (EPSRC-funded project)
💰 Salary: £41,519 – £42,756 per annum
🧪 About the Role
The Knipe Group at Queen’s University Belfast is offering a 3-year postdoctoral position in synthetic organic chemistry as part of an EPSRC-funded project. The focus is on developing atropisomeric foldamers – a new class of artificial oligomers where molecular conformation is controlled by stereogenic axes created during synthesis.
These foldamers have applications in catalysis, sensing, and materials science, and the project integrates asymmetric catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, and structural analysis.
🔬 Key Responsibilities
- Designing and synthesizing complex foldamer molecules
- Performing asymmetric catalysis to introduce atropisomeric features
- Structural characterization (NMR, crystallography, spectroscopy)
- Supervising junior researchers and contributing to publications
- Writing manuscripts and supporting grant proposals
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
- PhD in Organic Chemistry (awarded or near completion)
- Proven expertise in asymmetric/enantioselective synthesis
- Strong knowledge of foldamer or supramolecular chemistry desirable
- Strong track record of publications
- Excellent communication and collaborative skills
🌟 Career Benefits
- Competitive UK academic salary with additional perks
- Work in a world-class synthetic chemistry lab
- Access to advanced instrumentation and collaboration networks
- Opportunities for funding applications and independent career development
👉 Apply Here: Queen’s University Belfast Job Portal
🔑 Which Position is Right for You?
- Medicinal Chemistry (Newcastle, UK): Best suited for organic chemists aiming for careers in drug discovery and pharma R&D.
- Computational Chemistry (Fribourg, Switzerland): Perfect for those passionate about quantum chemistry, ML integration, and theoretical method development.
- Synthetic Chemistry (Belfast, UK): Ideal for organic chemists with expertise in asymmetric catalysis who want to explore foldamer and supramolecular research.
📌 These opportunities represent global career gateways for chemists in 2025. Whether your passion lies in drug discovery, computational quantum chemistry, or foldamer synthesis, these roles offer:
✅ International exposure
✅ Fully funded salaries & benefits
✅ Cutting-edge research environments
✅ Mentorship from world-class scientists
If you are a chemist at the PhD or postdoc stage, this is the perfect time to apply, collaborate, and shape the future of science.
