THE CENTER FOR INNOVATIONS IN HEALTH SCIENCES

The VinUniversity Center for Innovations in Health Sciences (IHS) is committed to advancing innovative solutions that promote health, wellness, and disease prevention, enhance early detection, and deliver accessible precision medicine for prevalent health challenges in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and beyond. IHS aim to be the leading authority on healthcare access and social determinants of health that impact health outcomes in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, with the goal of developing policies, practices, and interventions that improve health and well-being for all.

The Center for Innovations in Health Sciences (IHS) at VinUniversity is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to lead innovative research in early drug discovery and Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD).

Project Description

The postdoctoral researcher will develop mechanistically driven therapeutic strategies using molecular glues and PROTACs, with a focus on the CRL4–CRBN–USP15 pathway in cancer. The successful candidate will identify novel therapeutic targets and advance promising drug candidates toward preclinical validation. This role includes contributing to experimental design, data generation, and translational development across the full discovery pipeline.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Design and execute molecular, cellular, and biochemical experiments
• Apply CRISPR/Cas9 and multi-omics approaches to study disease mechanisms
• Contribute to target identification and validation in TPD
• Analyze and interpret complex biological datasets
• Integrate proteomics data with AlphaFold to drive mechanistic insights
• Prepare and publish high-quality manuscripts in leading peer-reviewed journals
• Mentor research assistant, undergraduate and graduate students, and foster a collaborative research environment

Expected Outcomes

• First- or co-first-author publications in at least two peer-reviewed Q1 journals
• Validation of novel targets and/or therapeutic candidates toward preclinical development

Qualifications

Required

• PhD or MD/PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery, or a related field
• Strong first-author publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrated expertise in molecular and cellular biology, and biochemical assays
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Preferred (Not Required)

• Background in molecular biology, proteomics, genomics, or structure-based drug design
• Experience with protein biochemistry, cell-based assays, and translational research workflows
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment
• High level of initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving skills

Appointment Details

• Salary: Competitive, in the range of USD 30,000–40,000 per annum, commensurate with experience.
• Contract: Initial one-year appointment, renewable annually subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance, and approval by IHS.
• Principal Investigator: A successful candidate will work under the mentorship of Dr. Nguyen Van Thang, Assistant Professor at the Center for Innovations in Health Sciences (IHS), College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity. His lab integrates CRISPR-based genome editing, multi-omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics), AI-driven tools such as AlphaFold, and classical biochemistry to uncover disease mechanisms and develop next-generation precision therapeutics.

Learn more about the lab: https://vinuni.edu.vn/people/nguyen-van-thang

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF titled “Postdoc Application – TPD – Nguyen Lab” to Dr. Nguyen Van Thang (thang.nv3@vinuni.edu.vn). The application package must include:

• A one-page cover letter
• A comprehensive CV (including three professional references)

Review of applications will begin on April 28, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.