Postdoc in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry (w/m/d)
Date: 15 Apr 2026
Location: Saarbrücken
Company: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH
Job Offer No. 659
The department Molecular Interactions and Drug Discovery" (MIND) at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) in Saarbrücken, is seeking to fill the position of a
Postdoc in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry (w/m/d)
The HIPS was founded in 2009 as a site of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in collaboration with Saarland University and is the first publicly funded non-university research institution in Germany explicitly dedicated to pharmaceutical research. HIPS’ focus is on the discovery and development of novel active ingredients against infectious diseases.
The departments at HIPS collaborate closely with Saarland University and the local pharmaceutical industry as well as national and international research institutions and companies. Since 2009, HIPS has constantly grown to over 220 employees in 2023 and is currently undergoing further spatial and thematic expansion funded by the Saarland state and federal government. Core research areas of HIPS will be strengthened and complemented by adding state-of-the-art bioinformatics and microbiota research to the institute’s portfolio. To accommodate for the increasing number of researchers at HIPS, new lab and office spaces will be set up in the coming years.
Responsibilities:
In the Molecular Interactions and Drug Discovery (MIND) group, we focus on the discovery and optimization of small molecule modulators of innovative therapeutic targets, addressing urgent health problems such as antimicrobial resistance and cancer. Within the IBT lower saxony-funded project “Citrapeutics”, you will be a member of an interdisciplinary team from medicinal chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, and medicine for development of novel antitumor therapeutics. Your tasks will include the design, synthesis and characterization of citraconic acid congeners. Multiparameter optimization including potency and pharmacokinetic properties. Data analysis and scientific presentations during project meetings and in conferences.
Requirements:
- You hold a university degree and a PhD degree in medicinal chemistry or equivalent, with a strong background in organic synthesis, in particular, of aliphatic compounds.
- You are also familiar with purification methods (e.g., flash chromatography and HPLC) and analytical techniques (e.g., NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS).
- Experience in molecular modeling and biochemical evaluation of compounds is advantageous.
- The ability to work effectively in an international team, good communication skills in English, and experience in writing scientific manuscripts are required for this position.
We offer you:
- An attractive and varied job in a future-oriented research institute
- A state-of-the-art infrastructure and the latest technologies
- Flexible working hours, part-time models as well as home office
- A corporate culture of appreciation and promotion of equal opportunities
- Extensive training and continuing education opportunities to develop professional knowledge and personal skills
- A family office to support family and career as well as childcare offers
- Interesting additional public service benefits
- Possibility of an employer subsidy for the job ticket
People with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position are given preference. In order to protect your rights, we ask you to provide us with a clearly recognizable reference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or resume.
The position is held at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) in Braunschweig. The place of employment is Saarbrücken.
The HZI is actively committed to equality, diversity and integration. For this reason, the HZI pursues the goal of professional equality between women and men. The position is suitable for part-time work.
For further information please contact Dr. Walid Elgaher, phone +49 (0)681 98806 2013, email: walid.mohammad@helmholtz-hips.de.
Please apply via our career portal.
Please include a cover letter, resume, (employment) references, certificates, and (if available) work samples or reference projects with your application materials. Please refrain from sending a photo.
We look forward to receiving your application!