Postdoctoral position in Medicinal Chemistry for Cancer Drug Discovery

Postdoctoral position in medicinal chemistry is available in the laboratory of Prof. Tomasz Cierpicki, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, to synthesize small molecule inhibitors for targeted therapies in cancer. We are seeking highly motivated synthetic organic chemists or medicinal chemists to join a comprehensive drug discovery program. Dr. Cierpicki lab. is conducting highly interdisciplinary research focused on pre-clinical development of novel anti-cancer drugs, which covers medicinal chemistry, structural biology, biochemical and biophysical assays, biological and animal studies. We have a strong team of synthetic chemists to support our drug-discovery efforts. The successful candidate will be involved in designing and synthesis of small molecule inhibitors as potential anti-cancer agents with a major focus on synthesis of heterocyclic compounds targeting protein-protein interactions relevant to cancer. The duties will include design and synthesis of new analogues of existing leads to develop biologically active compounds for testing in cancer cells and animal models of cancer. The candidate must be independent in designing synthetic routes, solving challenging synthetic problems and efficient in synthesizing targeted molecules, including multi-step synthesis.

Requirements:

Applicant must have PhD in synthetic organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry and be a first author on at least 2-3 publications. This position requires extensive experience in designing synthetic routes for new classes of compounds, solving challenging synthetic problems and SAR analysis. Applicant needs strong expertise in using HPLC, NMR and MS for organic chemistry applications. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

How to apply:

Please submit cover letter, CV, and contact information for 2-3 references combined into one PDF file by e-mail to: [email protected]

Contact:

Tomasz Cierpicki, PhD, Professor

Department of Pathology, Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

e-mail: [email protected]

Relevant publications:

1. Miao et al., Discovery and preclinical activity of the menin-KMT2A inhibitor ziftomenib in acute leukemia models, Blood, 2026, doi: 10.1182 /blood.2025031201.
2. Yao et al., Development of PRC1 Inhibitors Employing Fragment-Based Approach and NMR-Guided Optimization, J Med Chem. 2025 Jan 23;68(2):1382-1396.
3. Huang et al., Structure-Based Development of Novel Spiro-Piperidine ASH1L Inhibitors. J Med Chem. 2025 Jan 9;68(1):174-195.