The Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Pharmacology (BMBP) at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) invites applications for an Associate or Full Professor position with expertise in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. This senior faculty position is part of a major expansion of BMBP's therapeutic discovery capabilities and offers an outstanding opportunity to join a newly established group of investigators working across multiple disease areas.
The successful candidate will establish and lead an internationally recognized research program focused on the identification, design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecule therapeutics. Applications are welcomed from accomplished medicinal chemists working in any therapeutic area. We especially value candidates who are highly collaborative and eager to work with investigators across many different diseases. Candidates are expected to maintain a robust, externally funded research program and contribute to graduate and professional education at IUSM. The successful candidate will also provide strategic leadership as a Director of Medicinal Chemistry in the Chemical Genomics Core Facility. This leadership role offers significant opportunities to shape institutional strategy in drug discovery and develop interdisciplinary collaborations, backed by institutional investments in expanding and strengthening the Core’s capabilities.
IUSM is strongly committed to the success of this recruitment and offers competitive start-up and relocation packages, with the possibility of an endowed position for exceptional candidates. Generous laboratory space and access to core facilities for compound synthesis, purification, structural characterization, and high-throughput screening will support an ambitious drug discovery program. Applicants should hold a PhD (or equivalent) in medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical biology, or a closely related field, and have a record of accomplishment consistent with a tenured associate or full professor appointment. Candidates with significant achievements in industrial drug discovery are also encouraged to apply.
Interested individuals should submit a CV, cover letter, research statement with future plans (3 pages), and the names and contact information for at least three references. The search committee expects to begin reviewing applications on approximately October 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about this position may be directed to Jonah Vilseck at jvilseck@iu.edu.
Information about the Indiana University School of Medicine is available at https://medicine.iu.edu. Extensive opportunities for translational and interdisciplinary collaboration exist through several nationally recognized centers and institutes at IUSM, including the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, and IUSM's nationally prominent programs in Alzheimer's Disease and neurodegeneration. Investigators will also benefit from strong programs in diabetes and metabolic disease, cardiovascular research, pediatric research through the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, lung cancer research through the Tom and Julie Woods Center, and the resources of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (Indiana CTSI). Collectively, these centers offer an incoming medicinal chemist a wealth of biological targets, disease models, and translational partnerships spanning a broad range of therapeutic areas.