Post-Doctoral - Department of Pathology

• →Design novel small molecules and develop efficient synthetic strategies and routes for their preparation.
• →Synthesize, purify, and characterize target compounds and troubleshoot challenging synthetic transformations.
• →Characterize compounds using techniques including NMR, LC/MS or HRMS, HPLC, IR, and related analytical methods.
• →Analyze chemical structure–activity relationships and experimental data to guide subsequent compound design and optimization.
• →Collaborate with researchers in chemical biology, pharmacology, cellular biology, and computational chemistry to prioritize experiments and interpret multidisciplinary datasets.
• →Contribute to the planning, execution, and interpretation of biochemical, cellular, and pharmacological studies, as appropriate to the candidate’s experience and project needs.
• →Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks, experimental records, and compound characterization data.
• →Present research findings at laboratory meetings and scientific conferences and contribute to the preparation of manuscripts and grant applications.
• →Assist with mentoring and training undergraduate and graduate students and other junior laboratory members.
• →Contribute to maintaining a safe, organized, collaborative, and professional laboratory environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related field by the position start date.
• Demonstrated expertise in organic synthesis, including synthetic route design, multistep synthesis, purification, and troubleshooting of synthetic reactions.
• Experience with compound characterization and structural elucidation using methods such as NMR, LC/MS, HPLC, and related analytical techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, execute, analyze, and communicate scientific experiments.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to maintain accurate experimental records.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying synthetic chemistry to chemical biology, pharmacology, drug discovery, or mechanism-focused biomedical research.
• Experience with biochemical or cellular assays, including receptor binding, functional assays, protein-based assays, or related experimental approaches.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and cell-based experimental techniques.
• Experience with animal studies, particularly handling and experimental procedures involving mice.
• Familiarity with GPCR biology, receptor pharmacology, or small-molecule studies targeting signaling pathways.
• Familiarity with computational chemistry approaches such as molecular docking, structure-based modeling, or physicochemical property analysis.
• Understanding of pharmacological, ADME/PK, or related considerations in the evaluation of biologically active small molecules.
• Strong record of scientific productivity demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, or other research accomplishments.
• Experience working effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.