Postdoctoral Scholar-Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job Description

THIS IS A GRANT-FUNDED POSITION FUNDED UNTIL JULY 31, 2031.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to support NIH-funded research programs focused on developing selective, non-cytotoxic inhibitors of N-glycosylation for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The successful candidate participates in multidisciplinary research involving medicinal chemistry, cancer biology, glycobiology, and pharmacology. The candidate is expected to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team and contribute to advancing innovative targeted therapies with improved efficacy and safety for metastatic breast cancer.

Responsibilities

1. Conducts research focused on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel small-molecule inhibitors derived from natural product scaffolds for the treatment of metastatic cancers.
2. Designs and executes multistep organic syntheses of novel inhibitor molecules using modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques.
3. Purifies and characterizes synthesized compounds using standard analytical methods, including NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, and related techniques.
4. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to support structure-based drug design, medicinal chemistry optimization, and biological evaluation of lead compounds.
5. Prepares weekly written and oral progress reports for the Principal Investigator and presents research findings during laboratory group meetings.
6. Evaluates newly published articles, identifies emerging technologies and methodologies, and discusses potential applications to ongoing research activities.
7. Analyzes experimental data, interprets results, and proposes subsequent research strategies.
8. Engages in professional development activities to remain current with advances in synthetic organic chemistry, drug discovery, and translational cancer research.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION: Ph.D.


EXPERIENCE: Experience in the structural characterization of small molecules using NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, HRMS, HPLC, TLC, and other relevant analytical techniques. Demonstrated expertise in multistep organic synthesis, including reaction design, execution, troubleshooting, and optimization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to accurately collect, analyze, interpret, and document experimental data while maintaining detailed laboratory records.
• Ability to present scientific results clearly and discuss research findings effectively with the Principal Investigator, laboratory members, and external collaborators.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple research projects and meet established milestones.
• Proficiency in the purification of synthetic compounds using silica gel flash chromatography, preparative chromatography, recrystallization, and preparative HPLC.