Research Scientist: Natural Products & Total Synthesis

University of Mississippi; Mississippi; On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Mississippi invites applications for a Research Scientist in Chemistry to drive advanced synthesis of natural products and to develop reference standards. The role includes stereochemical elucidation using 1D/2D NMR and related spectroscopic methods, and SAR studies to enhance agrochemical or pharmacological properties.

The successful candidate will publish findings, contribute to patents, and collaborate across disciplines to push drug discovery and agrochemical development

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, or a closely related discipline.
• Extensive research experience isolating, characterizing, and synthesizing natural and synthetic compounds, including post-doctoral experience.
• Hands-on proficiency in multi-step total syntheses and handling air- and moisture-sensitive reagents.
• Experience with advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (GC-MS, LC-MS, and 1D/2D NMR).
• Proficiency in modern purification methods such as Biotage flash chromatography and column chromatography.
• Proficiency in cheminformatics and literature retrieval systems (ChemDraw, SciFinder, Reaxys).

Responsibilities

• Execute complex total syntheses to access structurally diverse natural products, serving as reference standards or enabling downstream evaluations.
• Apply 1D/2D NMR and other spectroscopic methods to determine absolute stereochemistry of complex natural products.
• Design, synthesize, and evaluate derivatives of natural products to optimize agrochemical or pharmacological profiles.
• Author peer-reviewed publications and contribute to patent applications; collaborate across disciplines to advance drug discovery and agrochemical development.

Skills

Total synthesis

Stereochemical analysis

SAR study design

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, or closely related discipline

Tools

ChemDraw

SciFinder

Reaxys

Biotage flash chromatography

Column chromatography

GC-MS

LC-MS

1D/2D NMR data interpretation

Job description

The University of Mississippi invites applications for a Research Scientist in Chemistry to drive advanced synthesis of natural products and to develop reference standards. The role includes stereochemical elucidation using 1D/2D NMR and related spectroscopic methods, and SAR studies to enhance agrochemical or pharmacological properties.

The successful candidate will publish findings, contribute to patents, and collaborate across disciplines to push drug discovery and agrochemical development