Research Scientist

The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an opening for a Business Services Coordinator.  The purpose of this position is to provide hands-on leadership in the design and optimization of reaction conditions, scale up starting materials and purification of final products in support of the ongoing Kinase Inhibitor Lego Kit (KILK) project in the Burke laboratory.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Design, synthesize, purify and characterize target molecules of interest.
• Provide oversight, direction and supervision of graduate students, research personnel (including postdoctoral fellows and grad assistants) and undergraduate students in organic and medicinal chemistry research. Provide mentoring of personnel in lab protocol, experimentation methods and project assignments.  Oversee both undergraduate and graduate students regarding their scientific progress.
• Collaborate with colleagues at various other institutions on research initiatives.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication.
• Utilize and optimize automated laboratory equipment and processes.  Develop and maintain scripts and software tools in Python for data analysis and instrument control.  Stay current with advancement in organic synthesis, laboratory automation and programming languages.
• Prepare grant applications for submission to the federal government and draft the annual scientific reports for awarded grants. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Chemistry or related discipline
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in postdoctoral research relevant to organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry
• Experience with:
  • Design and synthesis of small molecules for drug discovery
  • Performing SAR study based on existing biological data for further lead optimization total synthesis or semi-synthesis
  • Performing target molecule analysis and purification (chromatography, analytical and preparative (LC-MS, GC-MS, HRMS)
  • Developing novel synthesis methods using standard approaches in a safe and hygienic manner
  • Performing scale-up of organic synthesis reactions and separations, processing and analysis of NMR spectra of target molecule, conducting UV-Vis Spectrophotometry and analysis of the data
  • Supporting the preparation of externally reviewed grant proposals
  • Providing technical and trouble-shooting support
  • Collaboratively solving complex problems in a multi-functional team
  • Transferring the establishing method to CRO for manufacturing processes
• Good verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Organic Chemistry
• Experience with synthesis and purification of kinase inhibitors and related small molecule compounds, computer-aided drug design and optimization, developing novel synthesis methods using innovative approaches (such as chemoenzymatic synthesis, biocatalysis and green chemistry principles) and evaluation of potential drug activity and toxicity using techniques such as computational modeling tools
• Experience with automated laboratory equipment and Python
• Good interpersonal skills and a persistent tendency for collaboration

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• In-depth understanding of organic synthesis, purification techniques and analysis of organic reactions/products
• Knowledge of key medicinal chemistry concepts
• Good understanding of biology, pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics 

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis.  The expected start date is as soon as possible after the posting period closes.  The salary range for this position is $58,656/year - $65,000/year.  Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements and budget constraints.

Application Procedures and Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on June 18, 2024 Apply for this position by visiting https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/10711?c=illinois and using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the posting.  Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.  If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.  For further information about this specific position, please contact jobs@beckman.illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.  Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. 

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at (217) 333-0885 or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.