PhD in AI-Driven Drug Discovery

 

PhD in AI-Driven Drug Discovery 2026: University of West Attica & Johnson & Johnson

Meta Description: Apply for the fully funded PhD position in AI-Driven Drug Discovery (2026) at CODDIA Lab, University of West Attica with Johnson & Johnson. Deadline: 15 September 2026.

PhD Recruitment 2026: AI-Driven Drug Discovery at University of West Attica & Johnson & Johnson

The CODDIA Lab at the University of West Attica, in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson, invites applications from qualified candidates for a fully funded PhD position in AI-Driven Drug Discovery. This 36-month research role focuses on building next-generation generative AI and machine learning models that incorporate protein-target 3D structures and co-folding directly into molecular design pipelines.

PhD Position Summary & Job Details

• Position Title: PhD Researcher in AI-Driven Drug Discovery
• Host Institution: CODDIA Lab, University of West Attica (UNIWA)
• Industry Partner: Johnson & Johnson
• Location: Athens, Greece
• Position Type: Full-time, 36-month funded PhD
• Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
• Application Email: mmatsoukas@uniwa.gr
• Lab Website: coddia.uniwa.gr

Project Overview & Research Focus The selected PhD candidate will develop structure-aware molecular design frameworks by embedding co-folding mechanisms into generative AI pipelines. Key research deliverables include:

1. Developing generative AI/ML architectures for de novo molecular design and multi-parameter optimization.
2. Implementing co-folding frameworks to bridge biological sequences, 3D structures, and chemical space.
3. Applying physics-based structural methods to validate binding modes.
4. Solving real-world drug discovery challenges, including allosteric pocket identification and synthesis-aware optimization for active pharmaceutical pipelines.

Eligibility Criteria & Prerequisites

• Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate Degree: MSc in Computational Biology, Computational Chemistry, Computational Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Drug Discovery, or a related field.
• Technical & Language Skills: Working knowledge of Python and machine learning or cheminformatics frameworks; excellent written and spoken English.

Funding & Benefits

• 36-month fully funded doctoral fellowship based in Athens, Greece.
• Direct co-supervision by research scientists from Johnson & Johnson and University of West Attica faculty.
• High-impact publication opportunities and real-world deployment across active pharma discovery programs.

Required Application Documents

• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Brief Statement of Motivation outlining relevant research interests.
• Contact details of two academic or professional referees.

How to Apply Submit your CV, motivation statement, and reference details via email to mmatsoukas@uniwa.gr by 15 September 2026. Please use the subject line: