Postdoctoral Research Associate, Biology

Northeastern University • Newton, MA

3d

About The Position

About the Opportunity Job Summary The Antibiotic Discovery Center (ADC) at Northeastern University seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead research in natural product drug discovery, including isolation, characterization, and mode-of-action studies of antibacterial compounds. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team applying biochemical, microbiological, and analytical approaches to identify novel natural product scaffolds and elucidate their mechanisms. About the Lab 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. 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. 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, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, or related discipline.
• Strong record of research productivity, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Demonstrated expertise in microbial genetics, natural product discovery, or bioassay development.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and mentoring skills with a collaborative mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with chromatographic techniques, LC-MS, or NMR-based structure elucidation is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute microbiological, biochemical, and genetic studies to identify and characterize novel natural products with antibacterial activity.
• Develop and optimize screening assays for natural product discovery, including bioassay-guided fractionation.
• Conduct mechanistic and mode-of-action studies using microbiological and biochemical tools.
• Lead compound isolation and structural characterization efforts in collaboration with chemistry teams.
• Mentor and train students and junior researchers in experimental techniques and data interpretation.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to integrate discovery data and prepare publications and grant proposals.
• Present findings at internal meetings, conferences, and in peer-reviewed journals.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree