RNA Chemical Biology Postdoc - Targeted Therapeutics

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; Full time

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate - Disney Lab

Job No: 539984 | Work Type: Full Time | Location: Palm Beach | Department: 37041030 - SR-CHEM-DISNEY LAB

Job Description

Effective immediately, the Disney group in the Department of Chemistry at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology (https://disney.scripps.ufl.edu) is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Associate in RNA Chemical Biology.

Lab Overview

The Disney group is a chemical biology laboratory focused on developing rational approaches to design highly selective therapeutics from only genome sequence. Known for its prolific output and pioneering research culture, the group has furthered advancements in annotating RNA structure from sequence alongside several novel technologies created in-house. The laboratory’s targeting of RNA by small molecules, an ambitious and highly focused enterprise in pursuit of chemical probe and lead medicine development, is summarized in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2023) 618(7963): 169-179.

Representative Publications

• Studying disease mediated by RNA repeat expansions that cause genetically defined ALS and dementia:
  • Science Translational Medicine (2021) 13:eabd5991; doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd5991
  • Neuron (2014) 83:1043-50; doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.07.041
  • Cell Chemical Biology (2019) 26:179-190; doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.10.018
• Targeted RNA degradation and related technologies:
  • Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2023) 618(7963): 169-179; doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06091-8
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society (2021) 143:13044-13055; doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c02248
  • Science Translational Medicine (2021) 13:eabd5991; doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd5991
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (2020) 117:2406-2411; doi: 10.1073/pnas.1914286117
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (2019) 116:7799-7804; doi: 10.1073/pnas.1901484116
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society (2018) 140:6741-6744; doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b01233
  • Nature Chemical Biology (2017) 13:188-193; doi: 10.1038/nchembio.225
• Precision targeted therapeutics for difficult-to-treat cancers and other diseases:
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society (2019) 141:2960-2974; doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b10558
  • Cell Chemical Biology (2018) 25:1086-1094; doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.05.01
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (2016) 113:5898-903; doi: 10.1073/pnas.1523975113
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (2020) 117:1457-1467; doi: 10.1073/pnas.190505711

Required Qualifications

Qualified applicants should have completed a relevant Ph.D. degree in structural biology, chemical biology, or organic/medicinal chemistry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong skills in RNA biology techniques, molecular biology, and biochemical methods.
• Previous experience with RNA‑seq data analysis, DNA encoded library design and screening, and structure‑based design.
• Strong academic track‑record, high‑impact publication list, team‑player mentality, and interest in targeting the RNA world.
• Willingness to learn new experimental methods.

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

Additional Information

This position is open until filled. Application review will begin May 29, 2026. The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and the requisition is being used to fill multiple positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Florida is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit.