Research Associate; Natural Product Analytical Chemist Job Hilo area,Hawaii USA,Research/Development

Position: Research Associate (Natural Product Analytical Chemist) (0097699T)

Research Associate (Natural Product Analytical Chemist)

Position Overview

The University of Hawai'i at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawai'i, recognized for its integration of cultural immersion and place-based research that leverages the island's extraordinary geological, biological, and cultural diversity. A comprehensive, regional campus within the ten-campus University of Hawai'i System, UH Hilo offers high-quality undergraduate and select postgraduate education, with distinctive strengths in areas such as marine science, geology, astronomy, and Hawaiian language revitalization, while advancing research, scholarship, and creative activity that support community needs, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge systems, and workforce development for the State of Hawai'i.

The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) is dedicated to educating future healthcare professionals, advancing pharmaceutical sciences, and improving the health of Hawai'i and the Pacific region through excellence in teaching, research, service, and community engagement.

DKICP conducts innovative research in pharmaceutical sciences, such as natural products chemistry, drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, clinical and translational research, and health outcomes. Research programs focus on the study of herbal medicine, the discovery and development of bioactive compounds from natural sources, evaluation of therapeutic agents, advancement of healthcare practices, and addressing health challenges relevant to Hawai'i, the Pacific Islands, and global communities.

The Research Associate supports the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy's research programs in natural products chemistry, analytical chemistry, and metabolomics. The position conducts advanced laboratory research, develops and applies analytical methods, operates sophisticated analytical instrumentation, analyzes scientific data, and contributes to publications, reports, and collaborative research projects. The Research Associate works closely with faculty, staff, students, and external collaborators to advance the College's research mission.

Duties and Responsibilities (
* denotes essential functions):

* Design, develop, optimize, validate, and implement advanced analytical methodologies for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of trace-level plant-, fungal-, and bacterial-derived secondary metabolites, as well as chemical contaminants including mycotoxins, pesticides/insecticides, solvent residues, heavy metals, and related compounds.

* Apply advanced scientific principles in analytical chemistry, natural products chemistry, metabolomics, and chemical analysis to investigate complex biological and environmental matrices using sophisticated analytical instrumentation and data interpretation methodologies.

* Perform structural elucidation, metabolomic profiling, quantitative chemical analysis, and interpretation of complex analytical datasets using advanced analytical platforms including HPLC, ICP-MS, LC/MS, GC/MS, and NMR systems.

* Independently operate, calibrate, optimize, maintain, and troubleshoot sophisticated analytical instrumentation, including but not limited to HPLC, ICP-MS, LC/MS, GC/MS, and NMR systems, to support high-precision research activities and ensure analytical accuracy, reproducibility, regulatory compliance, and data integrity.

* Evaluate instrument performance, implement quality control procedures, assist with analytical method validation, and coordinate advanced technical support and instrument optimization activities with instrument vendors and scientific collaborators.

Collaborate and communicate effectively with Principal Investigators, faculty researchers, research staff, collaborators, sponsors, and external scientific partners regarding experimental design, analytical methodologies, interpretation of scientific results, instrumentation performance, and research progress.

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior laboratory personnel, students, and research staff in advanced analytical techniques, instrumentation operation, laboratory best practices, and scientific data interpretation.

Prepare, maintain, and review detailed scientific documentation including experimental procedures, analytical protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical reports, data summaries, and research findings.

Analyze and interpret complex analytical results and contribute to scientific manuscripts, presentations, report- or grant-related documentation, and other research communications in a professional and timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a PhD in Natural Products Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for Natural Products Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry,…