International Opportunity: Postdoctoral Fellowships in Medicinal Chemistry at UCT, South Africa

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is offering prestigious postdoctoral fellowships at its Holistic Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D). As Africa’s first integrated drug discovery center, H3D provides a world-class environment for chemists to work on life-saving treatments for Malaria, Tuberculosis (TB), and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Research Focus & Mentorship

This role is designed for researchers looking to bridge the gap between Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Clinical Application. Fellows will be trained to:

Compound Design: Use biological data and DMPK (Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics) to design potent drug leads.
Advanced CADD: Utilize Computer-Aided Drug Discovery and AI/ML for structural optimization.
SAR Studies: Conduct Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies to refine chemical scaffolds.

Fellowship Details at a Glance

Feature	Details
Location	H3D, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Research Areas	Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Infectious Diseases
Value	R367,500 – R410,000 (Tax-Free)
Duration	1 Year (Renewable based on progress and funds)
Deadline	28 February 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Education: PhD in Synthetic Organic or Medicinal Chemistry obtained within the last 3 years.
Experience: Proven track record in multi-step organic synthesis and synthetic methodologies, supported by publications in international journals.
Exclusions: Applicants must not have held a full-time permanent academic or professional post previously.
Residency: Must be prepared to reside in Cape Town for the duration of the fellowship.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file to Ms. Chanté Foentjies (chante.foentjies@uct.ac.za) addressed to Professor Kelly Chibale.

Required Documents:

Cover Letter (1 Page): Outlining expertise, research interests, and relevant experience.
CV: Summarizing research work and listing all publications.
Transcripts: Copies of all academic records.
References: Contact details of previous supervisors or academic colleagues.

Why H3D?

Joining H3D connects you to a global network of leading scientists. The center gained international acclaim for developing MMV048, the first clinical antimalarial candidate discovered by an African-led team. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and cross-disciplinary mentorship in enzymology and disease-focused biology.