Postdoctoral Fellow in Medicinal Chemistry

__________SCHOOL OF PHARMACY – HE RAU KAWAKAWADIVISION OF HEALTH SCIENCES - TE WĀHANGA MATUA MĀTAU HAUORAAbout Our Team/Mō Te TīmaThe School of Pharmacy is a leading centre for pharmacy education and research in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our academic staff are internationally recognised for research excellence across pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacy practice. We provide a dynamic and supportive research environment with strong connections across the University of Otago and with national and international collaborators.The role/Te mahiWe are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow in Medicinal Chemistry to join our research team on a Health Research Council (HRC) funded project: “Direct-to-stomach delivery of drugs for the chemoprevention of inherited stomach cancer.”This exciting role provides the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge drug conjugation chemistry and targeted drug delivery strategies. The Postdoctoral Fellow will: Undertake independent and collaborative research, including the synthesis, purification, and formulation of the drug delivery system. Assist with patent application writing, GMP documentation, and product scale-up. Provide expert supervision and support to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Contribute to the smooth running of the laboratory, maintaining the highest standards of health and safety.You will work closely with Dr Jessica Fairhall and Associate Professor Allan Gamble, alongside an interdisciplinary team of collaborators from the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Biochemistry.Your skills and experience/Kā Pūkeka Me Kā WheakoThe successful candidate will have: A PhD in medicinal chemistry or a related discipline (e.g., chemical biology, drug delivery). Strong experience in synthetic organic chemistry and purification techniques is essential. Demonstrated expertise with analytical chemistry techniques such as HPLC and LCMS is essential. Experience with conjugation and/or polymer chemistry is desirable. Strong organisational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail. Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to relate to a wide range of people in a research environment. Commitment to working in a culturally safe and respectful manner and demonstrated understanding and appreciation of Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, and Pasifika values. An ability to work collegially and independently.Further details/PūrokoThis is a full-time (1.0 FTE), fixed-term position available for 12 months from January 2026, located in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.The appointment level for this role is $92,350 per annum.The University of Otago is a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking, people, and behaviours. This means that we honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and that the contributions of staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills, and perspectives are valued and respected.For further information or to discuss the roles in confidence - please contact Dr Jessica Fairhall via the contact details below.Application/TonoTo submit your application (including CV and cover letter), please click the apply button. Applications quoting reference number 2501425 will close on Sunday, 2 November 2025.