Research Fellow – Organic Chemistry (ADC & Peptide Synthesis)

About the role

The School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at NTU seeks a Research Fellow in Organic Chemistry to design, synthesize, and purify antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs), peptides and related linker‑payload components. The role focuses on solution‑phase synthesis, solid‑phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), conjugation, purification workflows and analytical characterization to deliver reproducible research outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute multi‑step solution‑phase organic synthesis and SPPS of peptides, linkers, payloads and ADC‑related molecules.
• Develop and optimise amide‑bond formation and conjugation reactions, selecting coupling reagents, protecting‑group strategies and ensuring chemoselectivity, conversion and yield.
• Establish and refine ADC conjugation and purification workflows to meet project specifications.
• Purify peptides, small molecules, intermediates, linker‑payloads and ADCs using flash chromatography, preparative HPLC, SEC/FPLC and other suitable methods.
• Characterise products and assess identity, purity, drug‑to‑antibody ratio and aggregation using NMR, LC‑MS, HPLC/UPLC, UV‑Vis, SEC and HIC.
• Troubleshoot synthesis, conjugation, purification and analytical issues and propose practical solutions.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and prepare technical reports, presentations and manuscripts.
• Follow good laboratory safety practices and perform duties assigned by the Principal Investigator.

Required profile

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology or Biochemistry.
• Hands‑on experience in synthetic organic chemistry and the synthesis and purification of antibody‑drug conjugates, including linker‑payload chemistry and bioconjugation.
• Proficiency with SPPS, including resin handling, coupling cycles, cleavage, deprotection, preparative HPLC purification and LC‑MS analysis.
• Experience developing amide‑bond formation and conjugation methods, selecting coupling reagents, protecting‑group strategies and optimising chemoselectivity.
• Experience with ADC purification and characterisation using SEC/FPLC, HIC, LC‑MS, analytical HPLC/UPLC and UV‑Vis, assessing purity, drug‑to‑antibody ratio and aggregation.
• Strong documentation, problem‑solving, scientific writing and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary research team.

Required skills

• Solution‑phase organic synthesis
• Solid‑phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)
• ADC conjugation and purification
• Flash chromatography
• Preparative HPLC
• SEC/FPLC
• NMR spectroscopy
• LC‑MS
• HPLC/UPLC
• UV‑Vis spectroscopy
• Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC)