Postdoctoral Research Associate

About The Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Job Summary:

About Northeastern:

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. Our world-renowned experiential approach empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create impact far beyond the confines of discipline, degree, and campus.

Our locations—in Boston; Arlington, Charlotte, North Carolina; London; Portland,

Maine; Oakland; San Francisco; Seattle; Silicon Valley; Toronto; Vancouver; and the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant—are nodes in our growing global university system. Through this network, we expand opportunities for flexible, student-centered learning and collaborative, solutions-focused research.

Northeastern’s comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs— in a variety of on-campus and online formats—lead to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Among these, we offer more than 195 multi-discipline majors and degrees designed to prepare students for purposeful lives and careers.

Bouve College of Health Sciences

The Bouvé College of Health Sciences has over 200 faculty members, with approximately 2,000 undergraduate and 2,400 graduate students. It is the leading national model for education and research in the health, psychosocial and biomedical sciences and supports the University’s mission of educating students for a life of fulfillment and accomplishment and creating and translating knowledge to meet global and societal needs.

The Center for Drug Discovery

Directed by Dr. Alexandros Makriyannis, the Center for Drug Discovery is dedicated to:

• Conducting intensive research aimed at discovering novel medications that address important medical needs
• Devising approaches and technologies that improve drug-discovery efficiency and success
• Developing vigorous educational and research collaborations with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and translational research centers
• Expanding its unique educational component for training students and postdoctoral fellows in the art and science of drug discovery and educating the public on disease processes and therapeutic frontiers
  
  
  

The Center employs nearly 100 faculty members, staff, volunteers, PhD students, visiting scholars, and undergraduate students. These activities have been supported within an infrastructure that includes state-of-the-art laboratories for chemical synthesis, cell biology and tissue culture, biochemistry, molecular modeling, biophysical methods (NMR, computational), mass spectroscopy (proteomics), and behavioral studies. The Director’s and administrative offices are located on the first floor of the Mugar Life Sciences Building in rooms 116 and 101, respectively.

About The Opportunity:

The Center for Drug Discovery, in association with the Bouve College of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences seek(s) to hire a Postdoctoral Research Associate to perform synthetic organic chemistry reactions for projects supported by NIH, as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Under the direction of the supervisor, the candidate will design and synthesize novel compounds, record, and organize data. As a team player, he/she will have an opportunity to collaborate and work with the Center’s interdisciplinary teams and subsequently gain experience in several aspects of drug discovery.

Responsibilities:

• Effectively plan and synthesize novel bioactive molecules with viable routes directed at one or more of our targets
• Ensure proper execution of studies and maintain detailed records of experiments in lab
• Design target molecules to optimize the drug like properties based on the analysis of structure-activity relationship (SAR) and structure-function relationships (SFR)
• Support and execute medicinal chemistry strategies to identify pre-clinical candidates
• Act as key member of a multidisciplinary drug discovery project team, assisting with development of project strategy, and analysis and communication of complex data
• Manage internal and external resources to deliver quality data in an efficient manner
• Work with cross-functional groups (biology, DMPK and pharmacology) to advance drug discovery projects
• Contribute to patent, report, and scientific publication writing
• Maintain a broad awareness of the scientific and technological landscapes of organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Maintain knowledge of literature related to the areas of research pursued
• Mentor and train junior team members
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, teamwork, and rigorous innovation
• Other duties as assigned by PI
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in synthetic/medicinal chemistry or equivalent
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with a wide range of state-of-the-art techniques in synthesis, purification, and characterization of novel compounds (NMR, LC-MS, IR, HPLC, chiral separations, etc.)
• A strong commitment to experimental work – skilled in multi-step and/or large-scale syntheses, purification, and characterization of organic compounds
• Ability to develop research plans for executing strategy, operate and maintain equipment, and perform laboratory work, data analysis/interpretation, and presentation of results, with complete independence
• Proficient with SciFinder, Chemdraw, MestreNova, and other chemistry-related software
• Ability to work effectively in a highly integrated team environment
• Highly collaborative, self-motivated, team-oriented individual, with good computer skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to write peer reviewed quality work or invention disclosures for patent applications, technical reports.
• Consistent track record of accomplishments (e.g., peer-reviewed publications and/or patents).
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Understanding of medicinal chemistry concepts and general biology, pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics; and the ability to apply these in the design of novel small molecule drugs
  
  
  

Additional Information:

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please seewww.northeastern.edu/diversity.

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.