Postdoctoral Scholar-Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of Tennessee • Memphis, TN

9h

About The Position

THIS IS A GRANT-FUNDED POSITION FUNDED UNTIL JULY 31, 2029. THE FUNDING MAY BE EXTENDING PENDING FUNDING AVAILABILITY The Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for the design, synthesis, and optimization of small-molecule compounds targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, working collaboratively with interdisciplinary research teams to advance drug discovery efforts. This includes planning and executing synthetic strategies, analyzing structure–activity relationships, and supporting biological evaluation of compounds to improve efficacy and safety profiles.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Five (5) years of PhD training with first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Knowledge of SAR, ADME, and basic pharmacokinetics concepts.
• Strong problem-solving and experimental design skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex synthetic challenges.
• Data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team.
• Time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Designs and executes medicinal chemistry strategies.
• Synthesizes, purifies, and characterizes small molecules using standard and advanced techniques (NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, etc.)
• Interprets structure–activity relationships (SAR) and proposes next-step compounds
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams.
• Maintains accurate lab notebooks and ensures data integrity.
• Prepares manuscripts, reports, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Mentors graduate students or junior researchers.

What This Job Offers

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