Postdoctoral Scientist – Small‑Molecule Discovery

About the role

The Singapore UCSD RNA Frontier (SURF) program seeks a post‑doctoral chemist/biochemist to lead small‑molecule discovery targeting RNA and RNA‑binding proteins. You will work closely with senior scientists and a bioinformatician in a collaborative, on‑site research environment.

Key responsibilities

• Design, optimize and execute biochemical and cell‑based screening assays, including DNA‑encoded, fragment and phenotypic libraries.
• Apply computational tools such as AlphaFold, ESM‑type predictions, molecular docking and AI/large‑language‑model workflows to prioritize hits and guide optimization.
• Analyze screening data, troubleshoot assays, and maintain detailed experimental records.
• Mentor junior researchers, students and technicians, and present findings at conferences and in peer‑reviewed journals.

Required profile

• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry or a closely related field.
• 1–5 years of post‑doctoral research experience in an academic or industrial setting, with a strong publication record.

Required skills

• Hands‑on experience with small‑molecule and library screening assays (DNA‑encoded libraries, fragment libraries, phenotypic screens).
• Proficiency in structural modeling and prediction tools (AlphaFold, ESM) and molecular docking.
• Familiarity with AI/ML approaches and large language models applied to drug discovery.
• Experience with biophysical binding assays such as SPR, ITC or thermal shift assays.