Postdoctoral Research Associate - Synthetic/Medicinal Chemistry

• Full time research position, initial two-year fixed term with possibility of extension
• Opportunity to lead a research program in small molecule drug discovery
• Located at the Chemistry Building (F11) on the Camperdown Campus in Sydney
• Base Salary Academic Level A, Step 6 - 7 $109,301 - $112,690 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity


The School of Chemistry is currently seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Synthetic/Medicinal Chemistry in the laboratory of Associate Professor Yu Heng Lau. You will be the senior synthetic medicinal chemist on our small molecule drug discovery projects funded by the NHMRC and Cancer Institute NSW.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• drive a high-impact research program on medicinal chemistry against telomeric cancer targets, including small molecule synthesis, structure-based analogue design, SAR studies, and target engagement assays
• lead a team of junior research students, including laboratory supervision, project design, skills development, and career mentorship
• communicate and support research through writing of manuscripts, grant applications, and conference presentations
• manage ongoing partnerships with academic and industry collaborators
• coordinate laboratory administrative tasks, including equipment maintenance and lab organisation.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Sydney is a leading Chemistry department in the country, with outstanding staff and students undertaking world-leading teaching and research. The School has more than 30 academic staff, 100 research staff, and 100 research students that conduct research across the full spectrum of pure and applied chemistry.



About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Synthetic/Medicinal Chemistry who has:

• a PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or closely-related discipline
• experience in planning synthetic routes and completing multi-step syntheses for a variety of target small molecules
• knowledge in medicinal chemistry and structure-based drug design
• ability to operate and maintain synthetic laboratory equipment
• ability to conduct or learn associated skills such as computational docking and biophysical assays.


Base Salary

The base salary will increase in July 2025 by 3.75%.

Work Rights

Visa sponsorship is available for this appointment.


Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page