ONE-YEAR INTERNSHIP IN DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT WITH POTENTIAL PATHWAY TO PHD – CHEMISTRY GROUP

About us

Philogen is a Swiss-Italian integrated biotechnology company founded in 1996, dedicated to developing innovative biopharmaceuticals for cancer therapy. Philochem AG is the discovery R&D center of the Philogen Group located in Otelfingen (Zurich, Switzerland). Promising preclinical candidates developed at Philochem are subsequently produced at Philogen’s authorized Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facilities in Siena (Italy). The Company currently sponsors and coordinates Phase I, II and III prospective clinical trials in Europe and in the United States. Despite the focus on cancer research, the company is also active in discovering innovative therapies for inflammatory conditions.

Philochem operates with four key departments:

• Chemistry: Creating diagnostic and therapeutic targeted small organic molecules.
• Biology: Discovery of innovative therapeutic proteins.
• Cell Line Development: Development of GMP-ready mammalian cell lines expressing therapeutic proteins.
• Mass Spectrometry: Bridging Biology and Chemistry to support the advancement of preclinical and clinical products.

Your Role

We are looking for a highly motivated and passionate intern to join our Drug Discovery and Development team at Philochem. In this role, you will play a key part in using DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries (DELs) to identify novel ligands for targeted therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Your work will involve designing, synthesizing, and screening DELs, followed by validating and prioritizing hits through a range of in vitro assays (e.g., affinity measurements and cell-based assays). The best-performing compounds may be further tested in relevant in vivo models to assess their translational potential. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of experts, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge drug discovery. If successful, this internship offers the potential to transition into a PhD project, embedded in a collaborative framework between Philochem and a leading European University. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful research and advance the field of targeted drug delivery.

Your Tasks

• Design and synthesize DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries (DELs)
• Screen DELs against pharmaceutical targets to identify hits as starting points for the development of drug candidates
• Validate and prioritize hits based on in vitro assays and in vivo translational studies
• Analyze data, contribute to experimental design, and troubleshoot challenges
• Collaborate within a dynamic, cross-disciplinary team
• Present findings at scientific meetings and publish research in top-tier journals

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related field
• Strong interest in drug discovery, with a focus on chemistry
• Hands-on experience with DELs or other screening technologies is a plus
• Solid analytical skills and experience with data interpretation
• Strong communication skills in English (written and spoken)
• Proactive, curious, and eager to learn in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

What We Offer

• One-Year Internship: Gain hands-on experience using cutting-edge technologies in drug discovery.
• PhD Pathway: Transition into a PhD program upon mutual agreement, supported by a partnership between Philochem and a European university.
• Mentorship & Publications: Direct mentorship from experts in the field and opportunities to publish in top scientific journals
• Collaborative & Innovative Environment

How to Apply

Please submit your application including:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• University transcripts
• Contact details of at least two references