Scientist I, Chemistry
Southern Research
Summary
This position is responsible for providing synthetic chemistry support for our small molecule drug discovery projects utilizing standard laboratory techniques and methods, providing interpretations, contributing to the development of research documentation for publications and providing technical reports, papers, and/or records.
Job description
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Provides research and technical support to one or more Principal Investigators.
- Maintains accurate and clean E-notebooks with detailed procedures and proper analytical data attached.
- Designs, synthesizes, purifies, and fully characterizes organic molecules with limited supervision.
- Compiles and maintains data for compounds submitted to relevant analyses.
- Contributes to progress reports, publications and patents derived from project data.
- Operates and maintains scientific equipment.
- Learns new instrumental techniques.
- Maintains awareness of current literature.
- Collects and interprets analytical/spectral, ADME, and PK data with limited supervision.
- Attends and presents regular progress updates for the assigned projects.
- Observes appropriate safety requirements.
Requirements/Minimum Qualifications
- BS in Chemistry or related discipline and 8 years of laboratory experience performing organic synthesis; or MS in Chemistry or related discipline and 5 years of laboratory experience performing organic synthesis; or Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with at least 2 years of laboratory experience performing organic synthesis.
- Advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures and methods of analysis associated with the synthesis of new compounds.
- Strong synthetic organic chemistry background required.
- Keen interest in understanding the application of medicinal chemistry principles.
- Competency in ChemDraw, MestReNova, Microsoft Office Suites products and other relevant software.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to observe appropriate safety requirements.
Requirements
- BS in Chemistry or related discipline and 8 years of laboratory experience performing organic synthesis; or MS in Chemistry or related discipline and 5 years of laboratory experience performing organic synthesis; or Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with at least 2 years of laboratory experience performing organic synthesis.
- Advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures and methods of analysis associated with the synthesis of new compounds.
- Strong synthetic organic chemistry background required.
- Keen interest in understanding the application of medicinal chemistry principles.
- Competency in ChemDraw, MestReNova, Microsoft Office Suites products and other relevant software.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to observe appropriate safety requirements.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Life Insurance
- PTO
- Employee Assistance Program
Company overview
Southern Research is a nonprofit translational scientific research organization with an 80-year legacy of advancing drug discovery and development. Founded in 1941 in Birmingham, Alabama, the organization operates as a contract research organization (CRO) providing comprehensive preclinical and clinical research services to commercial, governmental, and academic partners. Southern Research has made significant contributions to modern medicine, including the discovery and development of seven FDA-approved cancer drugs such as fludarabine, dacarbazine, lomustine, and carmustine, with two of these drugs appearing on the WHO List of Essential Medicines. The organization maintains state-of-the-art facilities including high-throughput screening centers, biosafety level 2 and 3 containment laboratories, and specialized research platforms for oncology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, and environmental health. Southern Research collaborates with over 100 industrial partners, federal agencies, and academic institutions, and serves as an incorporated affiliate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The organization also operates Station 41, a biotech incubator supporting early-stage biotechnology companies, and has been instrumental in pandemic response efforts through COVID-19 vaccine development and infectious disease research.