W1 Professorship (with a tenure track leading to W2) for Medicinal Chemistry in Precision Medicine

Kiel University (CAU) wishes to encourage a larger number of qualified women to take up professorships.

The Institute of Experimental Medicine, Working Group on Translational Proteolysis Research, of the Faculty of Medicine at Kiel University (CAU) is seeking to fill the following position within the scope of the “Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation” (PMI) Cluster of Excellence:

W1 Professorship (with a tenure track leading to W2) for Medicinal Chemistry in Precision Medicine

to start as soon as possible and for an initial period of three years (first phase).

The successful candidate will represent the field of medicinal chemistry within precision medicine in both research and teaching.

Willingness to play an active part in the Faculty of Medicine’s overarching research focus of "Precision Medicine – Research, Treatment, Understanding", with its specialist areas of inflammation, oncology and neuroscience, as well as digital medical technology (biomaterials research and robot-assisted medicine), is a prerequisite.

The Faculty adopts a systematic medicine approach to understanding health and disease. In order to achieve long-term therapeutic success, even in the case of chronic and incurable diseases, as well as to act in an ethically responsible manner towards future generations, the Faculty of Medicine has adopted the guiding principle of "Sustainable Medicine by the Sea". The "Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation" (PMI) Cluster of Excellence emerged from the Faculty of Medicine. The Faculty of Medicine also takes the lead in and is participating as a partner in several major national and international research projects. Active participation in and strengthening of the PMI Cluster of Excellence and, where possible, involvement in ongoing collaborative research projects, such as the "Regulation of Membrane Proteins" (ReMPro) Research Training Group (GRK), is expected.

Thanks to the interdisciplinary research priorities at Kiel University (CAU) – "Kiel Life Science" (KLS) and "Kiel Nano Surface & Interface Science" (KiNSIS) – as well as research activities in other faculties, in particular the Institute of Pharmacy, and with non-university research institutions such as the Research Centre Borstel – Leibniz Lung Centre (FZB) and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, the research landscape of the professorship also offers excellent networking opportunities. The successful candidate will be expected to be involved in these research activities.

The professorship focuses on the highly innovative molecular class of targeted protein degraders (TPDs), such as molecular glues and PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimeras). The development of such active substances is to be actively pursued with a view to identifying new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chronic inflammation and oncological diseases.

The candidate should have research experience, as evidenced by publications, in one or more of the following subject areas: Ligand screens using biophysical and cellular assays, DNA-encoded library screens, as well as the organic synthesis and analysis of bivalent molecules, ideally utilising and developing innovative methods such as high-throughput synthesis, combinatorial chemistry, late-stage functionalisation. Experience in targeting inflammation-related and oncological target structures is desirable. The successful candidate will display comprehensive knowledge of organic chemistry and modern synthesis techniques, as demonstrated by a completed university degree in chemistry or pharmacy, or a degree in the life sciences or natural sciences that meets the requirements for the professorship; an outstanding PhD in one of the aforementioned subjects is also required. A successful postdoctoral phase, as evidenced by high-quality publications, is also required. Experience in securing external funding and in collaborating on interdisciplinary research projects is desirable. Experience of international collaboration is an advantage.

Please note the recruitment requirements set out in Section 64 in conjunction with Section 62a of the Higher Education Act (HSG) of the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Subject to a positive interim evaluation of the first phase of the junior professorship, the intention is to extend the fixed-term contract for a further three years (second phase).

Following a successful evaluation, and provided that the other requirements under

Section 62a of the Higher Education Act (HSG) of the State of Schleswig-Holstein are met, the aim is also to upgrade the post to a W2 professorship on a permanent basis. Alongside the interim evaluation of the junior professorship, a separate evaluation procedure is therefore carried out at Kiel University (CAU), typically during the second phase of the junior professorship, in accordance with the applicable statutes.

You can find further information on this by visiting the website at: www.berufungen.uni-kiel.de.

Kiel University (CAU) sees itself as a modern and cosmopolitan employer. We welcome your application regardless of your age, gender, cultural and social background, religion, beliefs, disability or sexual identity. We promote gender equality. You can learn more about our values in our Code of Conduct at:

https://www.uni-kiel.de/gf-praesidium/de/recht/interne-richtlinien/verhaltenskodex

Kiel University (CAU) is committed to promoting the employment of people with disabilities: Applications from people with severe disabilities and those treated as such will be given priority where candidates are equally qualified.

We particularly welcome applications from people with a migrant background.

The University is committed to increasing the proportion of female academics in research and teaching, so strongly encourages suitably qualified women to apply. Women will be given priority where they have equivalent suitability, qualifications and professional performance.

Please note that we expressly do not require application photographs and therefore ask that you refrain from submitting any.

The symposium lecture is scheduled for calendar week 3 or 4, 2027. We would therefore ask applicants to make a note of this date.

Applications, accompanied by the usual supporting documents (CV, a coherent research proposal covering the first three years, a list of publications, a list of courses taught and copies of academic certificates), should be submitted (preferably in electronic form), stating your home and work addresses along with your telephone number and e-mail address, by 27.11.2026 to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Kiel University (CAU), Prof. Dr med. Joachim Thiery, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, 24105 Kiel.

Anyone interested can find a guide on how to put together an application for the Faculty of Medicine on our website at: https://www.medizin.uni-kiel.de/de/fakultaet/berufungsverfahren.