Medicinal Chemists/Adjunct Professor Series*

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 112,500 - 297,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision insurance

Retirement plan

Academic status with faculty benefits

Job summary

University of California, San Francisco seeks creative medicinal chemists to join the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases as part of an Adjunct Professor series. The role focuses on driving drug discovery programs for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases at UCSF's Sandler Neurosciences Center.

Candidates will conduct hands-on research, design novel molecules, synthesize compounds, and mentor junior colleagues while collaborating with neurobiologists, analytical

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry or closely related field.
• Demonstrated scientific curiosity and problem-solving skills evidenced by publications or successful translational projects.
• Creative molecular design and advanced synthetic chemistry expertise.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities; experience mentoring is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Validate high-throughput screening results and advance leads to preclinical development.
• Design and synthesize medicinal chemistry compounds for neurodegenerative disease indications.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams and external research organizations.
• Communicate findings and mentor junior colleagues.

Skills

Scientific curiosity

Problem solving

Molecular design

Synthetic chemistry

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field

Job description

Medicinal Chemists / Adjunct Professor Series

The Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) seeks creative and highly motivated medicinal chemists to help drive the IND’s drug discovery programs in Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Creutzfeldt‑Jakob disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The IND is located at the new Sandler Neurosciences Center at UCSF’s Mission Bay campus and is directed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Stanley Prusiner.

Overview

Successful candidates will contribute to drug discovery efforts from validation of high‑throughput screening results to selection of candidates for clinical study. They will conduct hands‑on research, design novel molecules, and synthesize compounds while collaborating with neurobiologists, cell biologists, analytical chemists, pharmacologists, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Validate high‑throughput screening results and advance leads to preclinical development.
• Design and synthesize medicinal chemistry compounds for neurodegenerative disease indications.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams and external research organizations.
• Communicate findings and mentor junior colleagues.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry or closely related field.
• Demonstrated scientific curiosity and problem‑solving skills, evidenced by publications or successful translational projects.
• Creative molecular design and advanced synthetic chemistry expertise.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities; experience mentoring is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range: $112,500 – $297,200 (dependent on experience).
• Health, dental and vision insurance; retirement plan and additional compensation opportunities via the health‑sciences compensation plan.
• Full‑time position with excellent benefits and academic status.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Location: San Francisco, CA