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Associate or Full Specialist/Scientist | Small Molecule Discovery Center

Associate or Full Specialist/Scientist
Small Molecule Discovery Center
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
University of California, San Francisco

The Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC) at UCSF is seeking a highly collaborative biologist or biochemist with a passion for drug discovery and chemical biology. The successful applicant will design, optimize and conduct fragment-based, biochemical, and cell-based high-throughput screens, analyze and upload screening data, train users, and assist with compound library management. Scientists who enjoy working on diverse problems and thrive in a team-oriented, multi-disciplinary environment are ideally suited for this position.

The SMDC is a leader in academic drug discovery and chemical biology. When biomedical research at UCSF uncovers new potential targets for drug discovery, the SMDC works with researchers to develop chemical tools and drug leads to further understand and exploit these targets for human health. Current major projects include antiviral drug discovery, integration of experiment and machine-learning models, and developing covalent drug discovery for challenging and novel targets.

The position will report to Dr. Jezrael Revalde, senior scientist at the SMDC in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Dr. Michelle Arkin, Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, directs the SMDC.

To learn about our science, visit our websites at:

Responsibilities include:
  • Lead and run high-throughput screening projects in collaboration with the initiating labs
  • Develop and optimize screening assays
  • Execute automated screening campaigns
  • Learn/develop new technologies to address important problems in drug discovery and chemical biology
  • Work with project teams, informatics specialist, and medicinal chemistry scientists to validate and advance chemical matter
  • Train users on SMDC equipment and assay technologies
  • Perform other professional duties as needed

Required Qualifications
  • Associate Specialist: Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience in screening and drug discovery.
  • Full Specialist: PhD or related terminal degree in Chemistry, Pharmacology, Biology, or related discipline; or ten or more years of experience in screening and drug discovery
  • Experience with high-throughput screening, fragment screening, and/or cell biology
  • Enthusiasm for working in a team research environment
  • Strong written and communication skills
  • Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of appointment.
  • Candidate’s CV must state required qualifications (or if pending) upon submission.

Preferred Qualifications
  • PhD or related terminal degree in Chemistry, Pharmacology, Biology, or related discipline
  • Experience with liquid handling equipment, high-content imaging and analysis software
  • Experience in biochemical and cell-based assay development
  • Experience with biophysical methodology, such as DSF, SPR
  • Experience with HTS data management/visualization software (Dotmatics, Vortex, Datawarrior, Knime)

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant’s experience and training.
Applicants should submit a brief cover letter and a curriculum vitae. Please apply online and submit these documents along with the contact information for at least two references to: https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF04526.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $67,400-$173,900.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.