Postdoctoral Research Associate I (Pharmacology and Toxicology)

Applicants are invited for a postdoctoral position in pharmaceutical sciences at the D-PReD (Drug-(Preformulation, Repurposing, and Drug Delivery) Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona. The D-PReD lab is focused on the modulation of physicochemical, chemical, and biopharmaceutical properties of drugs to approve their delivery and repurposing for the treatment of infectious diseases.

We seek a highly motivated candidate with extensive experience in the synthesis, characterization, and analysis of nano-formulations, ionic liquids, or nucleic acid therapeutics. The ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or relevant discipline and experience in characterization techniques such as NMR, MS, DSC/TGA, and HPLC. The Postdoctoral position will primarily involve the development of nano-scale ionic liquids of various antiretroviral drugs including tenofovir prodrugs for improved oral bioavailability and penetration into viral reservoirs and to develop novel long-acting antiretroviral nanotherapeutics. The applicant should also be able to work independently and as a part of the collaborative research team. The successful candidate will also possess excellent communication and writing skills.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

• Synthesis, purification and characterization novel antiretroviral prodrugs.
• Synthesis and characterization of ionic liquids, lipophilic salts, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles and polymer-drug conjugates.
• Analyzes solubility, drug content, stability, and in vitro drug release HPLC/LC-MS.
• Analyzes and interprets generated data and works with the Principal Investigator (PI) to determine next steps on experimental results and writes manuscripts and progress reports.
• Assists the PI in grant writing, establishing and managing research activities of other personnel (e.g., undergraduate students) in the laboratory and in routine laboratory management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of scientific writing to prepare manuscripts and reports.
• Knowledge in principles, practices and theories across multiple professional disciplines 
• Ability to manage research operations that includes interfacing with healthcare systems and managing financial aspects of research and/or clinical operations.
• Ability to lead a multi-disciplinary, highly matrixed team, project, program, or function in a research and/or clinical arena.

• PhD from an accredited college or university in Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry or a related field.
• Strong background in Pharmaceutics/Medicinal Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry/Nucleic Acid Chemistry.