A non‑tenured Assistant Professor position in Computational Drug Design is available from 1 July 2026 for a fixed term of 3 years at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense.

We seek a candidate with strong, documented expertise in computational drug design / computer‑aided drug discovery. Preferred competencies include molecular docking, molecular dynamics and free‑energy methods (MD/FEP), machine learning for molecular design, and protein–ligand modelling. Experience bridging computational and experimental groups, and the ability to establish interdisciplinary collaborations across the department, is highly valued.

The position will be partly associated with “Center for Pharmaceutical Data Science Education” (CPDSE), and the chosen candidate is expected to contribute to the mission of CPDSE. Read more about CPDSE here: https://www.cpdse.dk/

Tasks

• Establish an independent, high‑impact research program in computational drug design.

• Secure external funding for independent and collaborative research projects (national and international).

• Supervise bachelor, master and PhD students and mentor junior researchers.

• Foster and lead collaborations between theoretical and experimental researchers within the department and with external partners, including industry and academic groups.

• Contribute to public outreach and communication activities.

• Teach in degree programmes at the department, primarily within pharmacy and molecular modelling courses.

• Participate in departmental administration, strategy development and educational programme development.

Skills

• MSc in Pharmacy or Medicinal Chemistry (or equivalent) and a PhD in a relevant discipline.

• Documented research experience and publication record in computational drug design.

• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: molecular docking, molecular dynamics and free‑energy methods (MD/FEP), machine learning for molecular design, protein–ligand modelling. 

• Experience with virtual screening workflows, scoring/rescoring strategies, and practical application of computational methods to drug discovery projects is an advantage.

• For applicants not fluent in Danish, the expectation is that teaching in Danish can be achieved within two years of appointment.

The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy
The department provides a highly collaborative research environment spanning theoretical and experimental disciplines and strong opportunities for interdisciplinary projects and industry collaborations. Research areas relevant to this position include drug transport, drug transporters and related pharmaceutical sciences, enabling close interactions between computational projects and experimental validation.

Our vision is to create and apply knowledge across the natural sciences. We are unique in housing research within physics, chemistry, and pharmacy under one department, which provides excellent opportunities to explore the intersections between these disciplines. Read more about our vision here.

Application deadline: 1 May 2026 at 23:59 hours local Danish time

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk