Industry: Pharmaceutical Sector
Job category: Others: Education and Training
Location: Potchefstroom
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: R249 000 per annum (not taxable), and relocation costs to a maximum of R20 000 (once-off amount).
EE position: No
Introduction
A post-doctoral fellowship is being offered in the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen) at the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Pharmacen is the cutting-edge Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation Centre in South Africa. Our vision is to be an internationally recognised role player and the leader in drug research and development in Africa. Our mission is excellence in research with the accumulation of new scientific knowledge, and to apply our research findings in the development of novel pharmaceutical products and technologies. The programmes of our research entity are linked to national priorities and have international research impact. Pharmacen currently consists of three research programmes, namely Translational neuroscience and neurotherapeutics; Drug delivery; and Drug discovery. The successful applicant will join a research group with a special focus on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and analytical chemistry, specifically for the evaluation of herbal medicines, standardisation of herbal extracts and production of APIs from plants. The research focus for the postdoctoral fellowship will be operating and assisting in maintaining our Analytical Technology Laboratory (ATL) consisting of 10 UPLCs coupled to various detectors including a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Agilent Ultivo) and assisting students with their analytical requirements. A special focus on drug discovery from medicinal plants as well as scientific validation of specific herbal medicine will also be an important aspect of this fellowship. The successful candidate will be mentored to develop new research skills, build an academic profile and supervise postgraduate students in the centre with analytical data interpretation (MS and NMR data). The fellow will also be involved in service delivery within Pharmacen ATL.
Job Description
Period: an initial period of 1 year, renewable for a second and third year, subject to satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required
- Extensive knowledge and experience in Analytical chemistry.
- Hands-on experience with the Agilent Ultivo triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and Shimadzu iNexera UPLCs
- Knowledge of the drug development pipeline.
- Experience with in vitro biochemical assays commonly used in drug discovery.
- Additional experience considered advantageous:
- Good publication record
- Experience with funding applications
- Ability to multitask.
Application Process
A letter of application (stating areas of expertise, research interests and experience), a CV (no more than two pages), a list of publications, copies of academic transcripts as well as names/contact details of two academics who have taught, supervised or worked alongside the applicant should be addressed to Professor Frank van der Kooy. Eligible and complete applications will be considered by the host, and candidates selected for the shortlist will be interviewed prior to selecting a suitable candidate for the position. The successful applicant must ideally be available to commence with the Fellowship by 1 January 2024, but no later than 1 March 2024.
Email: Frank.vanderkooy@nwu.ac.za
Website: http://health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/pharmacen/about-us
The North-West University reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications and the right to change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all.
Minimum Requirements
- a PhD degree (or is close to completion) in Analytical chemistry/Phytochemistry or a closely related field
- The applicant should not (yet) held any permanent professional posts (specifically as academics).
- Proven record of intention to pursue a full-time academic career.
- Willingness to comply with the University's approved policies, procedures and practices for the postdoctoral sector
