Postdoctoral Researcher

Union: Non-Union
Number of Vacancies: 2
New or Replacement Position: New
Site: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Department: Research
Reports to: Senior Scientist
Hours: 37.5 Hours Per Week
Salary: $54,902 - $71,000 Per Annum
Shifts: Monday - Friday
Status: Temporary Full-time
Closing Date: February 4, 2026

Position Summary:
Program: Mitacs Accelerate Umbrella – Target 2035 Fellows

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with a strong background in medicinal chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and chemical biology to develop small-molecule chemical probes for novel protein targets involved in cancer, neurological diseases, and other debilitating diseases for which there is no effective treatment. The successful candidate will apply cutting-edge machine learning models to guide parallel synthesis using an integrated robotic platform with a direct-to-biology assays for compound evaluation. Through iterative Design-Make-Test cycles feeding Bayesian optimization of compound structure and activity the Postdoctoral Researcher will accelerate discovery of novel chemical probes to understand human health and disease and seed drug discovery.

In this unique training opportunity, the Target 2035 Fellow will be embedded in a highly collaborative, international research program and supported by a multidisciplinary project team. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with experienced medicinal chemists, machine learning scientists, automation and software engineers, biochemists, and cell biologists, contributing to cutting-edge, data-driven drug discovery efforts alongside academic, industry, and technology partners.

Duties:
As a Target 2035 Postdoctoral Researcher , you will work on the optimization of small-molecule hits into high-quality chemical probes for novel protein targets.

• Application of AI/machine learning-enabled design strategies to explore structure activity relationships of hits and related compounds.
• Synthesis of compounds to improve properties of the hit compounds using an automated synthesis platform
• Development of efficient chemistry for optimized automated parallel synthesis
• Collaboration with UHN/different collaborative centre teams and industry partners to advance hits from screening into validated chemical probes

Appointment, Training Program, and Research Environment

This position is part of the Target 2035 Fellows program, supported through a Mitacs Accelerate Umbrella program. The engagement is offered as a full-time postdoctoral appointment for an initial one-year term, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years, subject to performance, funding availability, and program requirements.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be embedded within University Health Network’s research environment and will contribute to collaborative research aligned with Target 2035, a global open science public-private partnership focused on accelerating early drug discovery through the generation of high-quality chemical tools and protein–ligand interaction data for artificial intelligence and machine learning. Training is provided through academic supervision, day-to-day integration within UHN’s research teams, and participation in collaborative projects involving a global team of academic, technology, and industry partners.

• PhD obtained within the last 3 years in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a related field
• Strong hands-on experience with synthetic organic chemistry techniques as evidenced by peer reviewed publications
• Excellent communication skills and motivation for collaborative, interdisciplinary research

Preferred

• Familiarity with automation, parallel synthesis, drug discovery, or chemical biology
• Experience with data analysis or scripting (e.g., Python)
• Interest in AI-enabled or data-driven medicinal chemistry approaches

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN. 

• Competitive offer packages  
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/) 
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service 
• A flexible work environment  
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization 
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.) 

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration. 

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates.  Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.