Postdoctoral Scholar-Pharmaceutical Sciences

GlycoData; Memphis, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Tennessee Health Sciences in Memphis invites a Postdoctoral Scholar to join NIH-funded programs focused on developing selective, non-cytotoxic inhibitors of N-glycosylation for metastatic breast cancer.

The successful candidate will collaborate across medicinal chemistry, cancer biology, glycobiology, and pharmacology, design and evaluate novel inhibitors, and present progress weekly within the lab. This grant-funded position runs through July 31, 2031.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required.
• Experience with structural characterization of small molecules using NMR, LC-MS, HRMS, HPLC, TLC.
• Multistep organic synthesis experience including design, execution, troubleshooting and optimization.
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and document experimental data with detailed lab records.

Responsibilities

• Designs, synthesizes, and evaluates novel small-molecule inhibitors for metastatic cancers.
• Purifies and characterizes compounds using NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, and related methods.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team for drug design and biological evaluation.
• Prepares weekly progress reports and presents results in group meetings.
• Reviews literature and proposes new approaches; stays current with advances in chemistry and cancer research.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Organization

Purification techniques

Education

Ph.D. in a relevant field

Tools

NMR

LC-MS

HRMS

HPLC

TLC

Silica gel chromatography

Job description

University of Tennessee Health Sciences Memphis, TN Posted September 17, 2026

HIS IS A GRANT-FUNDED POSITION FUNDED UNTIL JULY 31, 2031.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to support NIH-funded research programs focused on developing selective, non-cytotoxic inhibitors of N-glycosylation for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The successful candidate participates in multidisciplinary research involving medicinal chemistry, cancer biology, glycobiology, and pharmacology. The candidate is expected to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team and contribute to advancing innovative targeted therapies with improved efficacy and safety for metastatic breast cancer.

Responsibilities

Conducts research focused on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel small-molecule inhibitors derived from natural product scaffolds for the treatment of metastatic cancers.

Designs and executes multistep organic syntheses of novel inhibitor molecules using modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques.

Purifies and characterizes synthesized compounds using standard analytical methods, including NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, and related techniques.

Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to support structure-based drug design, medicinal chemistry optimization, and biological evaluation of lead compounds.

Prepares weekly written and oral progress reports for the Principal Investigator and presents research findings during laboratory group meetings.

Evaluates newly published articles, identifies emerging technologies and methodologies, and discusses potential applications to ongoing research activities.

Analyzes experimental data, interprets results, and proposes subsequent research strategies.

Engages in professional development activities to remain current with advances in synthetic organic chemistry, drug discovery, and translational cancer research.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:Ph.D.

EXPERIENCE:Experience in the structural characterization of small molecules using NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, HRMS, HPLC, TLC, and other relevant analytical techniques. Demonstrated expertise in multistep organic synthesis, including reaction design, execution, troubleshooting, and optimization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to accurately collect, analyze, interpret, and document experimental data while maintaining detailed laboratory records.
• Ability to present scientific results clearly and discuss research findings effectively with the Principal Investigator, laboratory members, and external collaborators.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple research projects and meet established milestones.
• Proficiency in the purification of synthetic compounds using silica gel flash chromatography, preparative chromatography, recrystallization, and preparative HPLC.

Position overview

Organization University of Tennessee Health Sciences