Internship Position in Carbohydrate Chemistry (6 months, 100%)
Date: May 13, 2026
Location: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Klingelbergstrasse 50 | 4056 Basel | Switzerland, CH
Company: Universität Basel
Starting date: Summer 2026 (or upon agreement).
The Molecular Pharmacy group at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences is focused on early stages of drug discovery, including target identification and validation, the design, screening, characterization and optimization of molecules with drug-like properties, and the development of novel therapeutic concepts. The group follows a highly integrated and multidisciplinary approach, including drug design, compound synthesis and characterization, protein engineering, target preparation, assay development, and interaction analyses.
Your assignments
A 6-month paid internship position is available from June 2026 in the Molecular Pharmacy group. Research activities will be focused on organic synthesis and the chemical preparation of carbohydrate-derived building blocks. The candidate will learn and develop proficiency in chemistry and NMR techniques, and will collaborate closely with other members of our multidisciplinary team.
Main responsibilities include:
- chemical synthesis of mono- and disaccharide building blocks
- compound characterization of intermediates and products (using 1D and 2D NMR, MS, and other techniques)
- helping with routine maintenance and troubleshooting of lab equipment
- support of day-to-day organizational and safety aspects of a chemistry laboratory
- compiling and presenting results
Your profile
Candidates should be either enrolled in or recent graduates of a BSc or MSc program in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline from a recognized institution. Candidates should enjoy working in a team environment, and proficiency in English is expected. Previous experience in organic synthesis is advantageous.
We offer you
The position is funded for 6 months; salaries are according to the guidelines of the University of Basel. The workplace is based at the Pharmazentrum of the University of Basel, a well-equipped and innovative workplace with teams researching various aspects of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Application / Contact
Applications should be submitted via the online portal and should include:
- motivation letter
- detailed CV
- short description of previous research/laboratory experience (<1 page)
- contact details for two references
Applications will only be accepted through the online University of Basel application portal. All applications submitted before June 1, 2026 will be considered, otherwise the position will remain open until filled.
For any additional enquiries, please contact: Rachel Hevey (rachel.hevey@unibas.ch)