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University of Copenhagen PhD Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry, Denmark

Publish Date: Apr 27, 2016

Deadline: Jun 01, 2016

University of Copenhagen PhD Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry

The Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen is pleased to announce that a PhD fellowship will be available from 1/9 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter. The application deadline is 1/6 2016.

Applications are invited for the three-year fellowship from applicants who hold or expect to hold a master´s degree in a field relevant to the following PhD project: Design and synthesis of selective 5-HT2A receptor agonists.

In our research we are trying to develop new tool compounds that can help uncover the mechanism of action of psychedelics (like psilocybin), that recently have been shown to have potential in the treatment of various mental illnesses like anxiety, substance use disorders and depression. Researchers are trying to understand the mechanism of action of psychedelics – how can we explain the therapeutic effects? One of the biggest hurdles in this endeavor is the unselective pharmacological profile of classic psychedelics like psilocybin, which is a non-selective Serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonist. Thus, the effect of selectively activating the 5-HT2AR remains to be investigated – as such a tool compounds have remained elusive until recently.

We have previously developed one of the most selective agonists described to date 25CN-NBOH. See more about our research into 5-HT2AR ligands: http://drug.ku.dk/research/mcr/medchem/kristensen-group/5-ht2a-agonists/

In this project we are aiming at identifying a selective agonist of the 5-HT2AR amenable for in vivo investigation. Thus, the successful candidate’s primary obligation in this project will be the design and synthesis of new ligands – the pharmacological evaluation will be conducted by collaborators.

The PhD fellowship is financed by the Lundbeck foundation and the department of Drug Design and Pharmacology.

Required qualifications

The applicant must have:
·    Obtained a Master´s degree in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry
·    Documented experience with the synthesis of small molecules
·    fluency in English and excellent communication skills

Preferred qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a strong documented background in organic synthesis and/or medicinal chemistry. 

Supervisor
Jesper Kristensen, e-mail: jesper.kristensen@sund.ku.dk, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty are to:

·    manage and carry through your research project
·    take PhD courses
·    write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
·    participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings
·    stay at an external research institution, preferably abroad
·    teach and disseminate your research
·    participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in pharmaceutical sciences

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

·    Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme
·    Relevant work experience
·    Previous publications
·    The grade point average achieved
·    Other professional activities
·    Language skills
·    The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills

Formal requirements
The position is available for a three-year period for applicants holding a relevant master´s degree.

The successful applicant will be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences according to the rules stipulated in the Ministerial order on the PhD programme at the universities (PhD order) from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Higher Education and the guidelines for the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

The PhD student will be affiliated with the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences, Drug Research Academy.

Terms of employment
Salary and other terms of employment are stated in the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). 

Questions

For further information, applicants may contact the supervisor or Administrator Marianne W. Jørgensen, email: marianne.joergensen@sund.ku.dk, direct phone: +45 35 33 64 49.

For more information on working and living in Denmark visit www.ism.ku.dk(International staff mobility) and www.workindenmark.dk.

How to apply

Applicants are requested to submit their application electronically below including (in word or pdf):
·    Cover letter: Letter stating the interest in and qualifications for the project (max. one page)
·    Full CV
·    Diploma and transcripts of records: Master´s degree diploma (including grade transcripts for bachelor´s and master´s degrees). Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used
·    Possible publication list
·    Other information to consider: Possible references and recommendations

Deadline for applications: 1/6 2016. Please note that only online applications will be accepted.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk

The Appointments Committee consists of the supervision group and the Head of Department who is the authorized recruitment manager. The expert assessment committee consists of the principal supervisor.

An answer as to the granting of the fellowship can be expected approx. 4 weeks after application deadline.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to encourage everyone interested in this post to apply, regardless of personal background.

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This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://employment.ku.dk/all-vacancies/?show=821999

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Disciplines

Medicinal Chemistry

Study Levels

PhD

Opportunity Types

Fellowships

Eligible Countries

International

Host Countries

Denmark