Postdoctoral Associate

Stony Brook; Stony Brook (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Stony Brook University seeks a Postdoctoral Associate in the lab of Dr. Navjot Pabla within the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine. The role centers on designing, synthesizing, and characterizing small molecules and chemical probes for kidney disease therapeutics.

Candidates will perform medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and analytical work (NMR, LC-MS, HPLC), analyze data, prepare manuscripts, and collaborate across disciplines to advance renal therapeutics.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or closely related discipline required.
• Experience in synthetic organic chemistry, small-molecule synthesis, reaction development and optimization.
• Analytical characterization using NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize small molecules and chemical probes for medicinal chemistry and therapeutic discovery projects.
• Develop and optimize synthetic routes; investigate structure–activity relationships; use NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC to assess identity, purity and stability.
• Collaborate with researchers to evaluate compounds in cellular and preclinical models; prepare manuscripts and present findings.

Skills

Synthetic organic chemistry

NMR

LC-MS

HPLC

Medicinal chemistry

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

NMR spectrometer

LC-MS instrument

HPLC system

Job description

Job Description - Postdoctoral Associate (2603933)

Postdoctoral Associate

Required Qualification: (as evidenced by an attached resume)
PhD or foreign equivalent in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related discipline in hand by the start of the appointment. Experience in synthetic organic chemistry, small-molecule synthesis, reaction development and optimization, and analytical characterization of chemical compounds using techniques such as NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC.

Preferred Qualification:
Experience in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, biorthogonal chemistry, design and synthesis of small molecules, structure–activity or structure–reactivity relationship studies, and development of chemical probes. Experience in compound purification, analytical method development, and characterization of chemical stability and purity. Familiarity with mammalian cell culture, fluorescence-based assays, or biological evaluation of small molecules is desirable. Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications, strong written and oral communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Job Description:
A Postdoctoral Associate position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Navjot Pabla in the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, at Stony Brook University. The laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of acute and chronic kidney diseases with an emphasis on mitochondrial biology, metabolism, kidney injury, and development of novel therapeutics.

The laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of acute and chronic kidney diseases, with an emphasis on identifying therapeutic targets and developing novel pharmacological approaches for kidney diseases.

The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative research focused on the design, synthesis, optimization, and characterization of small molecules and chemical probes for therapeutic discovery. Research will involve synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and analytical approaches to develop and evaluate compounds targeting molecular pathways involved in kidney injury and repair.

Responsibilities include designing and executing synthetic strategies, optimizing chemical reactions, purifying and characterizing compounds using NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC, investigating structure–activity relationships, and collaborating with laboratory members to evaluate compounds in biological systems. The candidate will also analyze and interpret research data, maintain accurate laboratory records, prepare manuscripts for publication, present research findings at scientific meetings, and assist with grant preparation. The position provides opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and independent research and career development.

Specific Duties:

• Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize small molecules and chemical probes for medicinal chemistry and therapeutic discovery projects. Develop and optimize synthetic routes, investigate structure–activity and structure–reactivity relationships, and use analytical techniques including NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC to assess compound identity, purity, and stability. Collaborate with laboratory members to support biological evaluation of compounds in cellular and preclinical models of kidney disease. Analyze research data, prepare manuscripts, and present scientific findings.

• Develop and optimize synthetic and analytical methodologies, maintain accurate laboratory records and research documentation, collaborate with investigators in chemistry, pharmacology, and kidney biology, mentor junior trainees, and contribute to preparation of manuscripts, fellowship applications, and research grants.

• Perform other duties as assigned, including participation in laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, collaborative research activities, and professional development.

Special Notes:
The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines and the availability of funding. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

Stony Brook University is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application, interview, or hiring process, please request one by contacting [e-mail] . We will consider accommodation requests in compliance with applicable laws. This process is independent and does not require any voluntary self-identification of disability status. Please include the position title and position number (if known) in your message .

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The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below, it represents SBU’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Job Number:

2603933

Official Job Title :

Postdoctoral Associate

Job Field

Post Doctoral

Primary Location

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day Shift Shift Hours : 8:30am - 5:00pm

Posting Start Date

Oct 26, 2026

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Grade

E89

SBU Area

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York at Stony Brook