Post-doc Design and synthesis of Enzyme Inhibitors

Using your experience in small‑molecule organic synthesis, you will design and synthesise new heterocyclic molecules that are able to inhibit PDE enzymes. You will synthesise, isolate and characterize novel drug‑like molecules. Your compounds will be screened for enzyme inhibition, enabling the development of structure‑activity relationships that guide the synthesis of additional compounds.

The candidate will join a well‑integrated, multidisciplinary team and work closely with colleagues who conduct Computer‑Aided Drug Design (CADD) studies and biological screening. The results are expected to lead to publications in high‑quality scientific journals, while also contributing to the specific goal of developing new medicines for Alzheimer’s disease.

• Experience with modern organic synthesis, including heterocyclic chemistry, parallel chemistry and a wide variety of reaction types.
• Experience in purification and chemical analysis to characterize new small‑molecule drug‑like compounds (1D‑NMR, 2D‑NMR, LC‑MS, HR‑MS, IR, etc.).
• Good communicative skills in writing and speaking and the ability to motivate and teach colleagues and undergraduate students.
• An interest in medicinal chemistry and an understanding and willingness to be guided by the biological context are also requirements.
• The candidate is a team player who works together with colleagues who perform biological screening and perform CADD studies.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognizing that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realize that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognizes themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full‑time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full‑time 38‑hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part‑timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end‑of‑year bonus
• space for personal development
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theatre performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center

Faculty of Science Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value‑driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterized by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values‑driven education and research. We are open‑minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest, and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalization contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

We would like to receive a CV, a motivation letter, and the contact information for two or three referees.

The start of the position is no later than September 2026.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.