Associate Research Scientist

Northeastern University•Newton, MA

About The Position

About the Opportunity JOB SUMMARY The Antibiotic Discovery Center (ADC) is seeking an experienced Associate Research Scientist to lead and expand efforts in natural product–based antibiotic discovery. The ideal candidate will manage multidisciplinary projects that integrate microbiology, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry to discover and characterize new natural product scaffolds and elucidate their biological activities. QUALIFICATIONS Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field. Expertise in natural product discovery, purification, or bioassay-guided screening highly preferred. Experience with analytical instrumentation (LC-MS, HPLC, NMR) and biological assay development highly preferred. Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills. Demonstrated ability to integrate multidisciplinary data to drive scientific discovery and innovation. The Antibiotic Discovery Center (ADC) at Northeastern University is an interdisciplinary research hub dedicated to discovering, characterizing, and developing novel antibiotics and bioactive natural products. The ADC integrates expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, chemical biology, and natural product chemistry to address the urgent global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Researchers at the ADC work collaboratively to identify new compounds from diverse microbial sources, elucidate their mechanisms of action, and advance them toward preclinical development through innovative screening, analytical, and genomic approaches. 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. 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. Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 109S Expected Hiring Range: $67,855.00 - $95,845.00 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change. Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field.
Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills.
Demonstrated ability to integrate multidisciplinary data to drive scientific discovery and innovation.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in natural product discovery, purification, or bioassay-guided screening highly preferred.
Experience with analytical instrumentation (LC-MS, HPLC, NMR) and biological assay development highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead discovery and characterization of novel natural products with antibacterial or other bioactive properties.
Direct and oversee bioassay development, screening, and hit validation efforts.
Manage compound isolation, purification, and structure elucidation workflows in collaboration with analytical and chemistry teams.
Conduct and supervise mechanistic studies to elucidate compound mode of action.
Provide scientific leadership and mentorship for junior researchers and technical staff.
Ensure rigorous data management, reproducibility, and compliance with safety standards.
Contribute to strategic planning, proposal writing, and publication of research findings.