Position Description:
The Zhang Laboratory at the College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in organic synthesis and conjugation chemistry. Candidates should hold a recent Ph.D. and have a strong background in areas such as polymer synthesis, prodrug design, bioconjugation chemistry, or related fields.
The successful candidate will primarily focus on conducting experiments related to chemical synthesis and formulation development. Additional responsibilities may include supporting pharmacological and toxicological studies using both in vitro and in vivo models.
The Zhang Laboratory specializes in immunoengineering and nanomedicine, integrating materials science, immunology, and clinically relevant animal disease models to develop novel therapeutics for precise modulation of the immune system.
The University of Florida College of Pharmacy is consistently ranked among the top pharmacy schools in the nation, including No. 4 by U.S. News & World Report (2026). The College is also ranked No. 3 nationally in both NIH funding and total research funding by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. The University of Florida is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative academic environment.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical/Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong background and hands-on experience in organic synthesis and/or medicinal chemistry.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with polymer synthesis, bioconjugation, prodrug design, or formulation development.
• Experience with in vitro and/or in vivo studies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a multidisciplinary research team.
Job Benefit:
The position offers:
• Competitive NIH-standard salary.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities to lead scientific projects and contribute to high-impact publications.
• Experience in mentoring students and participating in grant writing.
• Eligibility to apply for postdoctoral fellowship programs, including the UF Cancer Center Postdoctoral Cancer Research Fellowship.
How to apply:
To apply or request additional information, please email the following materials to Dr. Fan Zhang at fzhang1@ufl.edu:
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• List of publications, presentations, and scientific talks
• Brief statement of research interests (optional but encouraged)
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.