An exciting opportunity has become available for a motivated and talented individual to join the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences as a Research Fellow in the Medicinal Chemistry Theme. The development of anti-malarial agents has been a significant research area within the Faculty. Reporting to Prof. Peter Scammells, the focus of the study will be the development of small molecule enzyme inhibitors which block the Malaria parasite’s ability to degrade haemoglobin and obtain amino acids needed for growth and survival.

As a Research Fellow your main responsibility will be the synthesis, purification, characterisation and evaluation of novel PfM1 and M17 aminopeptidase inhibitors as well as other bioactive compounds acting at G protein-coupled receptors. This would include compound design, data management and analysis and sample preparation as well as a range of drug discovery-related activities.

As the successful candidate you’ll have:

A PhD in medicinal chemistry or organic chemistry
Demonstrated experience in the design and synthesis of biologically active small molecules
Proficiency in interpreting SAR data and applying it to compound optimisation
Familiarity with ADMET principles and their influence on candidate progression
A track record of peer-reviewed publication commensurate with your career stage
Experience working within a team-based drug discovery or chemical biology environment, such as that found at MIPS
An understanding of pharmacology and/or drug development will be highly regarded.

This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to research that moves from molecule to medicine, working alongside a team with the infrastructure, industry partnerships, and scientific depth to make your progression real.

Monash University seeks applicants for this opportunity who are able to demonstrate and present valid and current Australian work rights.

About Monash University

At Monash, work feels different. There’s a sense of belonging, from contributing to something ground breaking – a place where great things happen.

We value difference and diversity, and welcome and celebrate everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. That’s why we champion an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to succeed.

Some 20,000 staff work for Monash around the world. We have 95,000 students, four Australian campuses, and campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia. We also have a major presence in India and China, and a significant centre and research foundation in Italy.

In our short history, we have skyrocketed through global university rankings and established ourselves consistently among the world's best tertiary institutions. We rank in the world’s top-50 universities in rankings including the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Together with our commitment to academic freedom, you will have access to quality research facilities, infrastructure, world-class teaching spaces, and international collaboration opportunities.

Learn more about Monash.

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Monash supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements. We have a range of policies in place enabling staff to combine work and personal commitments. This includes supporting parents.

To Apply

Please submit a current copy of your resume along with a cover letter in which you address how you meet the key selection criteria in the position description. For further instructions on how to apply, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'.

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Monash. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process at Monash. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact us at hr-recruitment@monash.edu in an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments Request' for a confidential discussion.

Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University as well as you possessing current work rights for Australia.

Enquiries: Prof. Peter Scammells, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Associate Dean Research, +61 (3) 9903 9542

Position Description: Research Fellow - MedChem

Applications Close: Tuesday 22 September 2026, 11:55pm AEST

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