Research Associate; Natural Product Analytical Chemist

Job Details

• Title:
  
  Research Associate (Natural Product Analytical Chemist)
• Position Number: 0097699T
• Hiring Unit:
  Academic Affairs, College of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Location:
  
  UH Hilo
• Date Posted:
  July 6, 2026
• Closing Date:
  July 20, 2026
• Employment Type:
  
  Full‑time, Temporary
• Appointment Date:
  Approximately October 2026, pending position clearance and funding availability

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is a public liberal arts and sciences university that embraces cultural immersion and place‑based research drawing on the island’s exceptional geological, biological, and cultural assets. The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) is a leader in pharmaceutical sciences, with a strong focus on natural products chemistry and drug discovery. The Research Associate will support DKICP’s research programs in natural products chemistry, analytical chemistry, and metabolomics by conducting advanced laboratory research, developing and applying analytical methods, operating sophisticated instrumentation, and contributing to publications and collaborative projects.

• Design, develop, optimize, validate, and implement advanced analytical methodologies for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of trace‑level plant, fungal and bacterial secondary metabolites, and chemical contaminants such as mycotoxins, pesticides, solvent residues, heavy metals, and related compounds.
• Apply advanced principles in analytical chemistry, natural products chemistry, and metabolomics to investigate complex biological and environmental matrices using sophisticated instrumentation and data interpretation methodologies.
• Perform structural elucidation, metabolomic profiling, and quantitative chemical analysis of complex datasets using HPLC, ICP‑MS, LC/MS, GC/MS, and NMR platforms.
• Operate, calibrate, optimize, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation, ensuring analytical accuracy, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance.
• Evaluate instrument performance, implement quality‑control procedures, assist with method validation, and coordinate technical support and optimization activities with vendors and collaborators.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with Principal Investigators, faculty researchers, research staff, collaborators, sponsors, and external partners regarding experimental design, methodologies, data interpretation, instrumentation performance, and progress.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior laboratory personnel, students, and research staff in analytical techniques, instrumentation operation, and data interpretation.
• Prepare, maintain, and review detailed scientific documentation including experimental procedures, analytical protocols, standard operating procedures, technical reports, data summaries, and research findings.
• Analyze and interpret complex analytical results and contribute to scientific manuscripts, presentations, grant‑related documents, and other research communications.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• PhD in Natural Products Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field, plus at least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in natural products, analytical, or organic chemistry, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive knowledge of analytical methods, natural products chemistry, metabolomics, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex biological and environmental matrices.
• Understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and research‑administration compliance procedures.
• Proficiency in resolving complex problems creatively and logically, and in determining effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information and ideas clearly and accurately in reports, presentations, and other materials.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, teams, and individuals.
• Computer skills, including word processing and specialized scientific software such as…