Core Lead and Core Manager, Medicinal Chemistry Core Facility

The University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy is seeking an experienced research scientist for an immediate opening as Core Lead and Core Manager of the Medicinal Chemistry Core Facility.

As a core lead, the individual will serve as a scientific liaison for external collaborations and/or services offered across different research core facilities within the school of pharmacy. The individual will provide project vision, scientific input and leadership toward setting appropriate goals affecting the success of the project. The core lead will work with the associate director of research affairs and the associate dean for research to promote cross discipline collaborations within the school of pharmacy and the USC research community at large by developing strategic integration plans across the core equipment and services. In addition, the core lead will develop and mentor personnel to ensure efficient operation and success of the cross functional operations.

As a core manager, the successful candidate will be a highly motivated scientist with a proven track record of delivering innovative assets in drug discovery to support basic, translational and clinical research in the biomedical enterprise at USC. The individual will be responsible for establishing and overseeing a core facility that provides a comprehensive suite of capabilities for preclinical drug discovery, complete with experienced project management. Core Services will include: 1) Structure-based lead identification and optimization; 2) Computational modeling of drug targets, protein-drug and protein-protein interactions and prediction of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity; 3) Quantitative structure activity and structure-toxicity relationship analyses; 4) Chemical synthesis; 5) Analytical services; and 6) Support of grant applications for available funding mechanisms. The individual is expected to employ a collaborative approach to work closely with the USC research community and with external partners on all aspects of their projects, including: consultation and practical interpretation of datasets, effectively communicating project progress, writing technical summaries, and assisting as needed with publications and grant applications.

Additional responsibilities include preparation and submission of instrumentation grants in support of the core facility, supervising and training facility staff, managing operating costs, ensuring a balanced budget and maintaining/troubleshooting equipment.

Preferred Position Requirements

Education: A PhD in a scientific discipline is required for this position, preferably in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field.

Experience: At least 5 years of medicinal chemistry experience, with preferably at least three years experience in a core facility or industry.

Skills/Other:

• Strong proficiency in fundamental aspects of drug discovery and demonstrated ability to advance drug discovery programs are required.
• Strong working knowledge of protein-ligand interactions, conformational and structural analysis, experienced in partnering closely with interdisciplinary scientists.
• Extensive knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry and superior problem-solving skills; experience in designing and executing multistep synthesis of complex organic molecules.
• Experience using modern techniques in organic chemistry. Solid understanding and application of pharmacology, PK/PD, and ADME concepts.
• Knowledge and direct application of structure-based drug design computational tools to drive projects forward.
• Exceptional oral communication and writing skills.
• Enthusiastic, high energy, and collaborative individual with strong ability to build productive relationships with members of the USC research community and external partners.

The University of Southern California is a world-renowned research and educational institution recognized internationally for its excellence in fundamental, translational and clinical areas. The University has long been recognized as a place for nurturing young scientists, with postdoctoral researchers being an integral part of the discovery process. The University offers an interactive, collegial, diverse, and collaborative work environment.

USC is an EO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Related experience with specialized research and/or programs (e.g., counseling, teaching). Ability to analyze and evaluate data, and present findings. Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communication skills, able to problem solve and lead conflict resolutions. Ability to interpret and apply policies/analyses/trends.