Apply now for a fully funded PhD position in medicinal and organic chemistry at the University of Vienna. Join a cutting-edge research group focused on drug discovery, cancer biology, and chemical proteomics. Starts August 2025.
PhD in Medicinal & Organic Chemistry – University of Vienna | Apply by May 23, 2025
Are you passionate about drug discovery, organic synthesis, and translational cancer research? A prestigious PhD position in Medicinal Chemistry / Organic Chemistry is now open at the University of Vienna, Austria. This opportunity is ideal for candidates with a Master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry, chemical biology, or synthetic chemistry, and a strong interest in cutting-edge cancer therapeutics.
This position is hosted by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. David Benjamin Konrad. The project focuses on the design and synthesis of covalent chemical probes and small-molecule drug candidates targeting ferroptosis-inducing proteins involved in therapy-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
🔬 Project Overview: Targeted Drug Discovery in Lung Cancer
The selected PhD candidate will work on designing tailored reactive elements (“warheads”) and chemotypes to build covalent inhibitors. These will be developed through scaffold modification and SAR studies. The ultimate goal is to produce drug-like molecules that can modulate oxidative stress pathways and induce ferroptosis in metastatic cancer cells.
This is not just a synthetic chemistry project. It is embedded in a multidisciplinary environment combining:
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Medicinal chemistry
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Chemical biology
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(Chemo)proteomics
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High-throughput experimentation (HTE)
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Cancer biology
The first 3 months of the PhD will include training at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, to gain hands-on experience in proteomics and high-throughput workflows.
🧪 Responsibilities & Key Techniques
🔧 Laboratory Techniques You Will Use:
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Inert-atmosphere synthetic chemistry: Schlenk line, glovebox
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Analytical methods: NMR, HRMS, HPLC, LC-MS, UV-Vis
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Kinetics measurements to evaluate chemical probe reactivity
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Programming with Python and R for statistical data analysis (a bonus skill)
💻 Data-Driven Drug Design:
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Utilize computational approaches for SAR
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Work with (chemo)proteomic platforms to evaluate on- and off-target effects
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Analyze mechanism-of-action for small molecules via phenotype-based profiling
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
✅ Required Qualifications:
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Master’s degree (or equivalent) in:
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Organic Chemistry
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Medicinal Chemistry
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Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Biochemistry
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Chemical Biology
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Experience in synthetic chemistry, preferably inert conditions
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Strong motivation, analytical mindset, and teamwork
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Ability to work independently and supervise junior lab members
⭐ Desirable Skills:
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Familiarity with cancer cell biology and phenotypic assays
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Interest in ferroptosis, ROS signaling, and tumor microenvironment
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Programming skills in Python or R for chemical and biological data analysis
🏛 Why the University of Vienna?
The University of Vienna, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities, is home to over 7,500 academics. The university offers:
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Competitive salary: Starting at €3,714.80/month (full-time), adjusted for experience
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A 4-year contract (initial 1.5 years with automatic extension to 4 years unless declared otherwise)
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Flexible working conditions and hybrid options
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Public transport access and a central Vienna location
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600+ free internal training programs
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A healthy, inclusive, and gender-equal work environment
🧑🔬 About Prof. Dr. David Benjamin Konrad’s Research Group
Prof. Konrad’s lab focuses on understanding phenotypic plasticity in cancer, ROS signaling, and mechanisms of cell death (ferroptosis). The group develops molecular tools to unravel small molecule–protein interactions and uses cutting-edge platforms for target deconvolution and high-throughput chemical screening.
👉 Visit: https://konrad.cup.uni-muenchen.de/
The lab is currently transitioning from LMU Munich to the University of Vienna and is well-funded for international collaboration.
📅 Important Information
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Position Start Date: August 1, 2025
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Working Hours: 30 hours/week
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Location: University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences
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Contract Duration: Up to 4 years
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Application Deadline: May 23, 2025
📬 Application Process
Submit your complete application via the official University of Vienna portal:
Required Documents:
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Scientific CV
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Letter of intent explaining motivation and experience
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Summary of research interests or ideas for the doctoral project
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Master’s Degree / Diploma
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Contact details of references (if required)
👉 Apply now: https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job/University-assistant-predoctoral/1202670601/
📧 For questions, contact:
Dr. David Benjamin Konrad
📩 david.benjamin.konrad@univie.ac.at
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The University of Vienna is committed to equal opportunities, gender equity, and diversity in science. Women and underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
