PhD position in Anti-infective Drug Discovery against Candida

14 April 2025 Opportunities

PhD Position in Interdisciplinary Science (Structural Biology, Protein Biophysical Chemistry, NMR Spectroscopy) – Anti-infective Drug Discovery against Candida

Institution: University of Vienna – Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Program: Vienna Doctoral School in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Country: Austria

Application Deadline: 21 April 2025 (00:00 Africa/Abidjan time)

Position Type: PhD, Full-time, 4 years

Funded by: Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

 

 

 

Project Overview

 

 

This PhD project targets the discovery of antifungal agents by inhibiting fungal BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) proteins—key regulators in gene transcription. The focus is on Candida infections, known for high resistance and mortality. The project uses interdisciplinary methods: protein biophysics, NMR spectroscopy, computational drug design, and structural biology.

 

 

 

Research Tasks

 

 

  • Expression, purification, and isotopic labeling of Candida BET proteins

  • Ligand screening using NMR (fragments, FDA drugs, natural products)

  • Computational exploration and design of BET protein inhibitors

  • NMR-based hit validation (epitope mapping, SAR)

  • Structure determination of ligand-protein complexes via NMR

  • Biological testing of top hits (growth inhibition assays)

  • Pre-formulation studies on selected compounds

  • Collaboration with external partners for cross-Candida activity testing

 

 

 

 

Candidate Profile

 

 

  • Master’s degree in Structural Biology, Biochemistry/Biophysics, or related field

  • Hands-on experience with NMR spectroscopy and/or protein biochemistry

  • Strong communication in English (oral and written)

  • Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary research team

 

 

 

 

Benefits

 

 

  • Integration in a dynamic international research group

  • Access to cutting-edge facilities (NMR, protein labs, computation)

  • Training via the Vienna Doctoral School (scientific + transferable skills)

  • Competitive salary based on FWF standards

  • 4-year contract

 

 

 

 

Application Instructions

 

 

  1. Apply via the Vienna Doctoral School in Pharmaceutical Sciences portal

  2. Select the project: AIDD5-ORTS under the “AIDD1-AIDD10 Anti-Infective Drug Discovery” call

 

 

Apply here:

https://vds-phanuspo.univie.ac.at/application/open-positions/aidd1-aidd10-anti-infective-drug-discovery/aidd5-orts/

 

 

Note

 

  • Women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply

  • The position is based in Vienna, Austria, one of Europe’s top-ranked cities for quality of life

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