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Drug Design Postdoc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Drug Design Postdoc information

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How much do drug design postdoc jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for drug design postdoc in the United States is $29.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $30.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Drug Design Postdocs when transitioning from academic research to working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team?

Drug Design Postdocs often encounter the challenge of adapting from independent academic research to a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. In industry or large research groups, postdocs work closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, computational scientists, and project managers, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills. Managing multiple project timelines and integrating feedback from various experts can be demanding but also offers valuable exposure to diverse scientific perspectives. Embracing this collaborative structure can enhance problem-solving abilities and open up opportunities for career growth in both academia and industry.

What is a Drug Design Postdoc?

A Drug Design Postdoc is a researcher who has completed their PhD and is engaged in postdoctoral training focused on the discovery and development of new pharmaceutical compounds. They typically work in academic, government, or industry settings, using computational, chemical, or biological methods to identify and optimize drug candidates. Their work often involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and may include tasks like molecular modeling, bioassays, and structure-activity relationship studies. The goal is to advance scientific understanding and contribute to the development of new therapies for diseases.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drug Design Postdoc, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drug Design Postdoc, you need a Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field with strong expertise in molecular modeling, medicinal chemistry, and structure-based drug design. Familiarity with computational drug discovery tools (like Schrödinger Suite, MOE, or AutoDock), molecular dynamics simulations, and experience with relevant programming languages are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative communication skills help in designing experiments and working within multidisciplinary research teams. These competencies are vital for advancing drug discovery projects efficiently and contributing innovative solutions to complex biomedical challenges.
Infographic showing various Drug Design Postdoc job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,710 per year, or $29.2 per hour.
Postdoctoral Fellow - Experimental Therapeutics

Postdoctoral Fellow - Experimental Therapeutics

MD Anderson

Houston, TX

$64K - $76K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


MD Anderson Cancer Center rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 164 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 869 rated healthcare providers


Job description

A Postdoctoral position is available in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States. This position reports to Dr. Irfan Asangani, Associate Professor in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics, and Dr. Hojong Yoon, Assistant Professor in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics.
We are seeking a talented and highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to participate in development of molecular glues and related novel modalities. While we consider various backgrounds, a strong interest in understanding how small molecule tools work, and the desire to tackle a major problem of great significance are absolutely essential. The position will allow the candidate to develop valuable new skills and experience in molecular glue discovery, assay-development, target validation, targeted protein degradation, and chemical biology. Position includes a competitive salary and generous benefits through the UT system. The Postdoctoral Fellow will receive training in research design, techniques, data analysis, presentation skills, and manuscript writing.
Responsibilities:
• Design and synthesize small molecules and characterize their structures.
• Maintain small molecule screening libraries.
• Collaborate effectively with biologists in the lab, and with translational research groups.
• Supervise and train other researchers in experimental techniques.
• Prepare and write scientific manuscripts, patent, and fellowship applications in collaboration with the principal investigator.
• Attend and present findings at internal, local and national meetings.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of the appointment, the Postdoctoral Fellow will have developed advanced expertise in molecular glue discovery and targeted protein degradation, including the design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecules for therapeutic applications. The fellow will gain hands-on experience in assay development, target validation, structure-guided drug design, and chemical biology approaches relevant to translational cancer research.
The appointment will also provide training in interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific communication, manuscript and patent preparation, grant and fellowship writing, and mentorship of junior researchers. Through participation in collaborative translational research programs, the fellow will be prepared to pursue independent careers in academia, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical drug discovery.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Drug Discovery, or related field.
• Candidates should possess training in multi-step organic synthesis.
• Candidates with experience in structure-guided drug design and proficiency in small molecule design using computational tools are encouraged to apply.
• Ability to work in a collaborative and team environment.
POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000. depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

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