The University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy is seeking an experienced research scientist for an immediate opening as Associate Director of the Medicinal Chemistry Core Facility.The successful candidate will be a highly motivated scientist with a proven track record of delivering innovative assets in drug discovery to support basic, translational and clinical research in the biomedical enterprise at USC.
The individual will be responsible for establishing and overseeing a core facility that provides a comprehensive suite of capabilities for preclinical drug discovery, complete with experienced project management.
Core Services will include: 1) Structure-based lead identification and optimization; 2) Computational modeling of drug targets, protein-drug and protein-protein interactions and prediction of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity; 3) Quantitative structure activity and structure-toxicity relationship analyses; 4) Chemical synthesis; 5) Analytical services; and 6) Support of grant applications for available funding mechanisms.
The individual is expected to employ a collaborative approach to work closely with the USC research community and with external partners on all aspects of their projects, including: consultation and practical interpretation of datasets, effectively communicating project progress, writing technical summaries, and assisting as needed with publications and grant applications.
Additional responsibilities include preparation and submission of instrumentation grants in support of the core facility, supervising and training facility staff, managing operating costs, ensuring a balanced budget and maintaining/troubleshooting equipment.Position RequirementsEducation: A PhD in a scientific discipline is required for this position, preferably in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field.Experience: At least 5 years of medicinal chemistry experience, with preferably at least three years experience in a core facility or industry.Skills/Other:* Strong proficiency in fundamental aspects of drug discovery and demonstrated ability to advance drug discovery programs are required.* Strong working knowledge of protein-ligand interactions, conformational and structural analysis, experienced in partnering closely with interdisciplinary scientists.* Extensive knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry and superior problem-solving skills; experience in designing and executing multistep synthesis of complex organic molecules.* Experience using modern techniques in organic chemistry.
Solid understanding and application of pharmacology, PK/PD, and ADME concepts.* Knowledge and direct application of structure-based drug design computational tools to drive projects forward.* Exceptional oral communication and writing skills.* Enthusiastic, high energy, and collaborative individual with strong ability to build productive relationships with members of the USC research community and external partners..Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degreeMinimum Experience: 7 yearsMinimum Field of Expertise: Specialized, progressively responsible experience in laboratory instrumentationUSC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.
USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.
Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.
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