King's College London

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

About Us

The Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (IPS) at KCL supports world class fundamental and applied research across the full spectrum of pharmaceutical science, from drug discovery through biophysical and biological characterization, pharmacology, formulation, drug delivery and use of medicines, with a strong culture of multi-disciplinary collaboration and links to clinical colleagues evidenced by awards of major grants from organisations such as MRC, BBSRC and NC3Rs. The medicinal chemistry laboratory of IPS has been recently refurbished and modernized with new equipment and facilities, and the selected candidate will be based at the medicinal chemistry laboratory at Franklin Wilkins Building.    

About The Role

The rise of multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens poses an increasing threat to public health, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as cancer patients or the elderly. Species like Candida albicans and Candida auris have developed resistance to multiple classes of antifungal agents, severely limiting treatment options. One of the key mechanisms driving this resistance involves efflux pumps, complex molecular systems that actively transport antifungal drugs out of fungal cells, lowering drug concentrations to non-lethal levels and rendering standard therapies ineffective.

This project aims to understand the role of these efflux pumps in Candida auris and related species, focusing on how they interact with other cellular resistance mechanisms to produce high levels of drug tolerance. Building on previous discoveries of efflux-resistant azole compounds that remain active against multidrug-resistant strains, the project will employ these molecules as investigative tools to map efflux pump function and identify those most critical for clinical drug resistance.

Using cutting-edge genome editing techniques, the study will manipulate or silence key efflux pump genes to evaluate how these systems respond to novel efflux-resistant antifungals. Further validation will be carried out to assess how these compounds perform in vivo. The insights gained will guide the rational design of next-generation antifungal agents that can evade efflux mechanisms, offering new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of multidrug-resistant fungal infections.

Applicants should be educated to PhD level, and have a good working knowledge of organic synthesis and the purification and characterisation of intermediates using different chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as preparative HPLC, HPLC/MS, NMR and IR. The Research Fellow will have an active interest in medicinal chemistry and will be expected to interact with external collaborators to realise the potential of this high impact project.

This is a full time post, and you will be offered an a fixed term contract until 31/12/2028.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry or Pharmacy near completion.
2. Practical experience of  C-C, N-C and amide coupling reactions, protection-deprotection chemistry and multi-step synthesis
3. Knowledge of small-molecule characterization using NMR, IR, UV, Mass and HPLC techniques
4. Knowledge of software packages, including Word, Excel and chemical structure drawing and bibliographic programmes
5. Knowledge of analytical and preparative LC_MS techniques
6. Track record of published research in peer-reviewed journals of international standing
7. Research experience  in synthetic and medicinal chemistry

Desirable criteria

1. Experience in chemistry  laboratory management including electronic inventory maintenance
2. Record of presenting scientific research at national/international conferences
3. Experience in operating and maintaining LC-MS system
4. Excellent interpersonal skills
5. Record of supervising, appraising, coaching and mentoring of research students

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6. 

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held in December