Postdoctoral Associate

University of Colorado Boulder • Boulder, CO

39d • $60,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Syntrivanis group in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Organic Synthesis, to start in early 2026 or as soon as possible. The position involves research at the cutting-edge of organic synthesis and chemistry automation. The successful candidate will develop new organic synthesis methods, and employ them in automated and High-Throughput Experimentation settings to establish autonomous, AI-driven platforms for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents. The position is offered for one year in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. As one of the nation's top-ranked Tier 1 research institutions, the Department of Chemistry is internationally recognized for its outstanding research efforts and education. The Chemistry faculty conduct research in all areas of chemistry, including analytical, materials and nanoscience, organic, and physical chemistry. The Department of Chemistry is a part of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, whose faculty conduct research, scholarship, creative work, and education in more than 60 fields. The college leads nationally in undergraduate and graduate education, bringing world-class research and scholarship to our students, both in and out of the classroom. The college is the academic home to all five of the university's Nobel laureates. Additionally, it is home to the university's four National Medal of Science winners, eight MacArthur "Genius Award" winners, 100 Fulbright Scholars, 17 Guggenheim Fellows, 14 Packard Fellows, 24 members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 23 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. CU-Boulder is the only university in the Rocky Mountain region in the American Association of Universities, a group of the nation's leading research institutions.

Requirements

• A PhD in organic chemistry or a closely related discipline (or be close to completion).
• Strong research track record in complex molecule synthesis and/or synthetic method development.
• Extensive experience in the analysis, purification and structural determination of complex organic molecules using instrumental methods (NMR, HPLC, GC).
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, including in a scientific context.
• A drive to continuously learn and adopt new approaches, and to think outside the box in facing scientific challenges.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working with laboratory automation, especially in a synthetic chemistry context, and/or
• Previous practical experience in chemoproteomics.

Responsibilities

• Carry out organic synthesis research in both traditional and automation settings under the supervision of the Principal Investigator.
• Independently manage day-to-day research activities, and propose novel solutions to research challenges.
• Drive multidisciplinary research by effectively communicating with collaborators working in Artificial Intelligence and in Biology.
• Assist in the day-to-day running of the lab.
• Mentor junior lab members.
• Assist in the preparation of manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and retirement plans
• generous paid time off
• tuition assistance for you and your dependents
• an ECO Pass for local transit

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees