Postdoctoral Researcher in AI-Driven Cancer Drug Discovery

Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher in AI-Driven Cancer Drug Discovery

Institution: Boğaziçi University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul, Türkiye

Overview

An interdisciplinary, two-year BAP ADEP–funded project seeks a postdoctoral researcher to lead the discovery of novel small-molecule anti-cancer agents/inhibitors by integrating structural biology, cheminformatics, and AI/ML. The postdoc will collaborate closely with the chemistry/AI and biology interface to translate computational designs into experimental validation.

Key Responsibilities

Computational & Modeling

· Develop, refine, and deploy Python-based ML/DL workflows for kinase inhibitor prediction

· Integrate biological assay feedback to iteratively improve compound prioritization pipelines

Experimental Oversight

· Coordinate proof-of-concept syntheses of top candidates with the organic chemistry collaborators

· Design, execute, and interpret cellular and biochemical assays in collaboration with wet-lab researchers

Leadership & Dissemination

· Mentor PhD students in both computational and experimental techniques

· Present findings at lab meetings, international conferences, and contribute to peer-reviewed manuscripts

Qualifications & Eligibility

· PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Cheminformatics, Chemical Biology, or closely related field

· Strong Python coding skills and hands-on experience with ML frameworks (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch)

· Demonstrated track record in small-molecule drug discovery (e.g., structure-based design, assay development)

· Excellent communication skills and ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary team

Offer:

Fully funded, two-year appointment with the BAP-ADEP salary, supportive mentorship, and access to top-tier research infrastructure and resources for collaborative projects spanning academic and industrial domains.

Application Instructions

Apply by July 20, 2026

Submit all materials as a single PDF to [email protected] with subject line “Postdoc Application – AI-Drug Discovery” containing:

• Curriculum Vitae (including publication list)
• Cover Letter (research experience, career goals, and fit to this project)
• Contact Details for Three Academic Referees

For full details and departmental info, visit our lab website: https://mbg.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/erhan-keles

Contact:

Assist. Prof. Erhan Keleş

Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics

Boğaziçi University

e-mail: [email protected]