Staff Scientist

Actox; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology (LOBP) at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA invites a Staff Scientist to apply advanced computational chemistry and molecular modeling to drug discovery programs. You will design molecules, guide library development, and communicate findings to multidisciplinary teams, with emphasis on rigor and reproducibility.

This full-time position offers renewal based on progress and funding, opportunities for external funding, and a collaborative

Qualifications

• Master's degree in computational chemistry, cheminformatics, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical sciences, or closely related field.
• Must have work authorization (U.S. citizen, green card, or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Apply structure-based drug design (SBDD), QSAR, and cheminformatics.
• Perform ligand/receptor docking and HTVS, pharmacophore modeling.
• Run MD simulations and quantum chemical calculations.
• Conduct diversity/similarity analysis and design compound libraries.
• Implement ML/AI methods for drug discovery and data interpretation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and interpret structural data.
• Develop novel computational methods addressing key questions in drug discovery.
• Prepare abstracts, manuscripts, and grant proposals; maintain scientific integrity.

Skills

Computational chemistry

Molecular modeling

QSAR

Cheminformatics

Ligand/docking

Molecular dynamics

Quantum chemistry methods

Machine learning

AI for drug discovery

Data interpretation

Education

Master's degree in computational chemistry or related field

Job description

The Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology (LOBP), Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, directed by Dr. Raymond F. Schinazi, is a multidisciplinary research group with expertise in medicinal chemistry, virology, molecular biology, toxicology, pharmacology, immunology, structural biology, and computational biology. The Schinazi group focuses on the discovery and development of novel antiviral agents and has contributed to drug discovery for HIV, herpesviruses, hepatitis B and C, SARS-CoV-2, and emerging viruses including dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, EBV, chikungunya, norovirus, and enteroviruses. The group has more than 60 researchers and staff. Its well-established synthetic and medicinal chemistry group has its own 400 MHz NMR, UPLC/MS, preparative HPLC, automated purification systems, microwave synthesis reactor, and other modern equipment supporting compound design, multi-step synthesis, purification, and structural characterization.

LOBP is seeking a highly motivated Staff Scientist with expertise in computational chemistry and molecular modeling to join the group. The successful candidate will apply a range of advanced computational approaches to design molecules and guide library development in support of multiple drug discovery programs. This is a full-time staff position with annual renewal based on satisfactory research progress and availability of funding.

Responsibilities:

The Staff Scientist will apply a range of computational approaches — including but not limited to:

• Structure-based drug design (SBDD), homology modeling, QSAR, and cheminformatics
• Ligand/receptor docking, high-throughput virtual screening (HTVS), and pharmacophore modeling
• Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and quantum chemical methods
• Diversity/similarity analysis and compound library design
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) methods for drug discovery
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and providing expertise in interpreting structural data related to drug targets and their endogenous ligands, agonists, or antagonists
• Executing computational experiments and communicating results clearly to support ongoing discovery efforts
• Developing novel computational methods to address key scientific questions in drug discovery
• Initiating innovative research suitable for external funding and publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Writing abstracts, manuscripts, and grant proposals
• Maintaining a strong code of ethics and scientific integrity

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in computational chemistry, cheminformatics, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical sciences, or a closely related field.
• Must have a work authorization, a green card or be a U.S. citizen.