Postdoc in Small Molecule Organic Chemistry: New small Molecule Therapeutics for Age-related Macular Degeneration - DTU Health Tech

Are you passionate about translating innovative chemistry into real-world medical impact? Then this is your opportunity. We are seeking a talented organic chemist to join a pioneering project targeting age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss affecting millions worldwide. You will design and synthesize novel small molecules to solubilize drusen (lipid-protein deposits in the retina), bringing us closer to breakthrough treatments for this challenging disease.

At the Department of Health Technology (DTU Health Tech) at the Technical University of Denmark we are offering a 2 year fully funded postdoctoral position within the Ocular Drug Delivery group, led by Andrew Urquhart in the Section for Cell and Drug Technologies. You will join a dynamic research environment where organic chemistry, drug delivery and ocular disease modeling are combined to drive towards clinical translation. The expected start date is Spring 2026.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your primary focus will be the rational design, synthesis, and characterization of small organic molecules for age-related macular degeneration. You will develop structure-activity relationships, optimize lead compounds, and collaborate closely with biophysical and biomedical researchers to validate your designs. This interdisciplinary project offers unique opportunities to bridge organic synthesis with medical innovation while contributing to research with direct patient impact.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Design and execute multi-step organic syntheses of small organic molecules.
• Characterize compounds using NMR, HPLC, mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for lead compound production.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and international research partners.
• Contribute to Open Science initiatives including data sharing, preprint publications, and open access publishing.
• Present findings at international conferences.
• Write manuscripts and publish in high-impact journals.
• Document research findings and contribute to intellectual property development.
• Mentor PhD, MSc and BSc students working on related projects.
• Maintain the shared laboratory environment.

We are looking for candidates with strong synthetic organic chemistry skills and a genuine interest in translational biomedical research. You should be comfortable working independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry or a closely related field. You should have demonstrated experience with multi-step synthesis, purification techniques and structure elucidation. Strong analytical chemistry skills and excellent communication abilities in English are essential. Experience with biomedical applications or lipid chemistry is advantageous but not required.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. 

Salary and terms of employment 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 2 years. The position is full-time with a start date of Spring 2026.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Andrew Urquhart.

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk and about Ocular Drug Delivery here. 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 March 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 
• Contact information for 2-3 references.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Health Tech
With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we