Postdoctoral Associate - Medicinal Chemistry
Posted date [2026-06-02]
(ID: 45881)
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New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is a globally recognized institution pioneering a transformative model of higher education. As part of the prestigious NYU global network, NYUAD offers an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education, fostering intercultural understanding and leadership.
Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, NYUAD is dedicated to groundbreaking research and graduate education, addressing critical local and global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. It plays a vital role in shaping a sustainable, knowledge-based economy in the UAE and advancing NYU’s mission as a model university for the 21st century. NYUAD maintains the highest standards of academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, welcoming students and faculty from around the world. The university provides a dynamic environment for learning, research, and professional development in one of the world’s fastest-growing educational and cultural hubs. For more information on career opportunities at NYU Abu Dhabi, visit the official website: http://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/ You can now provide the first NYU Abu Dhabi job post for improvement.... |
Job Description and Requirements
Postdoctoral Associate - Medicinal ChemistryJob Snapshot
Role: Postdoctoral Associate - Medicinal Chemistry
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Higher Education
Function: Research
Experience: PhD in chemistry or related field
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Postdoctoral Associate - Medicinal Chemistry in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a specialized Higher Education research opportunity focused on synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, natural product synthesis, automated chemical platforms, and early-stage drug discovery. This role is suited for a scientifically creative researcher who can contribute to the Healy Laboratory’s work on synthesizing complex molecules and evaluating natural products as leads for future therapeutic discovery programs.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Higher Education
Function: Research
Salary: 20000-34000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Postdoctoral Associate - Medicinal Chemistry will join the Healy Laboratory in the Chemistry Program at New York University Abu Dhabi, with a planned start from November 2026. The role supports research aimed at building an automated chemical platform for the synthesis and biological evaluation of natural products. The selected researcher will work in a state-of-the-art organic synthesis environment, contributing to projects that combine synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, complex molecule synthesis, automation, chemical biology, and drug discovery applications.
Key Responsibilities
* Conduct advanced research in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
* Support the development of an automated chemical platform for natural product synthesis and biological evaluation.
* Design, execute, optimize, and analyze synthetic routes for complex molecules and drug discovery leads.
* Contribute to research involving natural products, including complex molecule classes such as polyketides where relevant.
* Use modern organic synthesis techniques and laboratory methods to prepare, purify, and characterize compounds.
* Collaborate with multidisciplinary researchers working across chemistry, automation, chemical biology, biosynthesis, and biological evaluation.
* Generate high-quality experimental data and maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, reaction records, analytical data, and project documentation.
* Contribute to the preparation of peer-reviewed publications, research summaries, presentations, and progress reports.
* Support research planning, project troubleshooting, literature review, and scientific discussion within the Healy Laboratory.
* Help evaluate synthesized molecules as potential leads for drug discovery programs.
* Apply scientific creativity to improve reaction design, synthesis workflow, compound access, and platform development.
* Participate in collaborative research meetings and contribute to a productive academic laboratory culture.
* Maintain safe laboratory practice and follow university research standards for chemical handling and experimental work.
Ideal Profile
* PhD in chemistry or a closely related subject.
* Candidates for Postdoctoral Associate should have received a PhD, be within a few months of completion, and have no more than 5 years after receiving the PhD.
* Candidates for Associate Research Scientist should have a PhD in chemistry or a related subject and at least 3 years of research experience, excluding postdoctoral study.
* Significant research experience in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
* Strong background in the synthesis of complex molecules is highly preferred.
* Experience with polyketide synthesis is especially valuable.
* Knowledge of synthetic automation, chemical engineering, biosynthesis, or chemical biology is desirable but not required.
* Strong publication record and ability to contribute to high-quality academic research.
* Excellent communication skills in English.
* Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary research teams.
* Strong scientific creativity, attention to detail, and independent problem-solving ability.
* Motivation to contribute to natural product-based drug discovery research.
* Ability to submit required documents, including cover letter, CV with full publication list, transcript or degree copy, one-page research accomplishment and interest summary, and two recommendation letters.
Skills Set
* Synthetic organic chemistry
* Medicinal chemistry
* Natural product synthesis
* Drug discovery research
* Complex molecule synthesis
* Polyketide synthesis
* Organic synthesis
* Chemical platform development
* Automated synthesis
* Biological evaluation
* Chemical biology
* Biosynthesis
* Chemical engineering concepts
* Reaction design
* Compound purification
* Compound characterization
* Laboratory research
* Literature review
* Research documentation
* Scientific writing
* Peer-reviewed publication
* Multidisciplinary collaboration
* Experimental troubleshooting
* Academic presentations
* Research creativity
Why Join Us
This position offers an excellent opportunity for a Postdoctoral Associate - Medicinal Chemistry who wants to advance research in organic synthesis and drug discovery within a globally connected academic environment in Abu Dhabi. The role provides access to state-of-the-art synthesis facilities, highly competitive salary, housing allowance, educational subsidies for children, relocation support, health and wellness benefits, and a collaborative laboratory setting. It is a strong fit for a researcher seeking to publish high-quality work, develop new chemical methods, and contribute to an automated natural product discovery platform.
About the Company
New York University Abu Dhabi is a research-led university in the UAE, supporting advanced scholarship across science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Through the Healy Laboratory and the Chemistry Program, NYU Abu Dhabi provides a strong platform for research in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, natural products, chemical biology, and drug discovery. The university offers a multidisciplinary global campus environment where researchers can build impactful scientific careers from Abu Dhabi.
