Postdoc/PhD opportunity – Receptor Pharmacology of Opioid Peptides

Current opioid-based analgesics are effective painkillers but with the drawback of severe side-effect of addiction and respiratory depression, which is the cause for the so-called ‚opioid epidemic‘.

Here, the κ-opioid receptor is thought to be a promising alternative drug target to develop novel analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents without undesired effects.

Join us at MedUni Vienna to explore the pharmacology of circular and stapled peptide therapeutics targetting the κ-opioid receptor in the periphery.

Postdoc/PhD opportunity – Receptor Pharmacology of Opioid Peptides 
(Reference #: Postdoc/PhD StableKOR)
The GruberLab @ the Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna (Austria)

We are looking for biochemists, pharmacologists or medicinal chemists. The selected candidate(s) will engage in a unique and innovative set-up of  peptide chemistry, peptidomics, receptor signaling and preclinical clinical expertise to effectively design and develop novel peptide-based drug candidates for the κ-opioid receptor and other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The project focuses on the pharmacology of stabilized and circular peptides at GPCRs, with a focus on the κ-opioid receptor. It includes chemical synthesis and stability assays of peptides, structural analysis of compound(s) alone and in complex with the receptor, detailed in vitro receptor pharmacology, peptide biodistribution and in vivo proof-of-concept studies in relevant animal models.

Successful candidates will join an international and inspiring group whose work is featured in several highly-cited papers (in top quality peer-reviewed journals) with established collaborations in Australia (Institute for Molecular Bioscience and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute) and the USA (Center for Clinical Pharmacology, WUSTL).

Founded in 1365 as a Medical Faculty of the University of Vienna, the MedUni Vienna is now one of the world’s largest and most renowned medical universities. Vienna is an enjoyable and international capital, with the worldwide #1 quality of life (The Economist).

Applicants should submit a full CV, including the names of 3 referees and a very brief motivation letter; pre-interviews will be by video call. Strong skills in written and spoken English are mandatory. Postdoc applicants without any first author publication in a reputable journal may not be considered.

Call opens: 4th of September 2024
Call closes: until suitable candidate(s) have been identified

Please submit to [email protected]

Further information: http://www.meduniwien.ac.at/pharmakologie/ms/  Twitter: @peptide_drugs