Postdoctoral Position in AI-Driven Drug Design

100% / Available: immediately

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming molecular design and drug discovery. However, the identification of successful drug candidates requires more than generating molecules with high predicted affinity: selectivity, physicochemical properties, potential adverse effects, synthetic accessibility, and experimental feedback must be considered simultaneously.

Our research in the Computational Pharmacy group at the University of Basel focuses on developing next-generation AI approaches for drug design by combining state-of-the-art machine learning with physicochemical knowledge and molecular modeling. Representative publications from our group include:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63947-5
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01436
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01438
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-020-0261-x

Your position

• Developing and adapting machine-learning approaches for structure-based and generative molecular design.
• Integrating physicochemical information, including protein–ligand interaction features, into generative AI workflows.
• Developing computational workflows for closed-loop DMTA cycles in which experimental affinity, selectivity, and molecular-property data are continuously used to improve the next generation of proposed molecules.
• Applying and validating the developed approaches prospectively in the design and optimization of serine protease inhibitors.
• Collaborating closely with computational scientists, chemists, and biologists within the international project consortium.
• Contributing to scientific publications, presentations, and project reporting.

Your profile

• PhD in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Strong background in machine learning and deep learning.
• Strong programming skills, particularly in Python.
• Experience in at least one of the following areas:
• molecular generative AI,
• cheminformatics and molecular representations,
• structure-based drug design and protein–ligand modeling,
• Experience with molecular modeling and a good understanding of the physicochemical principles governing molecular recognition is highly desirable.
• A strong publication record in internationally recognized, high-quality venues is required, such as leading journals in computational chemistry (e.g., JCTC, Journal of Chemical Physics) or top-tier machine-learning conferences (e.g., ICLR, ICML, NeurIPS), as appropriate to the candidate's research background.
• Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Highly motivated, independent, and collaborative researcher with an interest in working at the interface between methodological development and prospective drug discovery.

We offer you

• A Postdoctoral position in an interdisciplinary research project at the interface of artificial intelligence and drug discovery.
• The opportunity to develop new computational methodologies and directly test them in prospective Design–Make–Test cycles.
• Close interaction with experimental drug-discovery researchers and industrial and international project partners.
• An international and collaborative research environment at the University of Basel.

• motivation letter (max. 1 page) highlighting your research interests, relevant experience, and skills,
• CV including publication list,
• PhD certificate or confirmation of expected completion, and
• contact details of at least two academic references.