Bioorganic Chemistry Postdoctoral Research Scientist

What You Will Do

The Bioscience Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) invites you to join our diverse team and support our critical national security mission. The Biochemistry and Biotechnology Group (B-TEK) is seeking creative and independent scientists with a strong foundation in bioorganic synthesis and demonstrated hands‑on experience in bioconjugation. You will work in a multidisciplinary environment, developing chemical and biochemical approaches to address challenges in biosecurity, bioenergy, analytical science, structural biology, and the evaluation of emerging technologies, supporting projects that matter to our nation and the world.

The successful candidate will contribute to a portfolio of programmatic and R&D efforts involving synthesis, characterization, bioconjugation, functionalized materials, and quantitative analytical validation. The position is designed for a scientist who complements an established strength in molecular design and synthesis with expertise in biomolecule modification, binding and activity assays, complex‑matrix analysis, and rigorous data interpretation. Working with colleagues in B‑TEK and collaborators across LANL, the candidate will develop and complete project objectives, contribute to new mission‑relevant programs and research proposals, and communicate results through reports, presentations, and peer‑reviewed publications.

• Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize small molecules, peptides, chelators, molecular probes, and related (bio‑)molecular systems
• Develop methods to immobilize proteins, peptides, and polymers, and evaluate immobilization efficiency, stability, and retained function
• Develop quantitative assays for molecular recognition, metal binding, selectivity, kinetics, and performance in model solutions and complex matrices
• Integrate experimental results with statistical or computational analyses to guide subsequent experiments and project decisions

• Expertise in chemical biology, bioorganic chemistry, or a closely related discipline relevant to B‑TEK's research mission
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with site‑selective peptide or protein modification, bioconjugation, post‑translational modifications, or polymer and surface functionalization
• Experience designing and executing multistep syntheses, purification, and characterization
• Experience developing quantitative assays with appropriate controls, calibration, reproducibility criteria, and statistical analysis
• Ability to independently develop and troubleshoot experimental approaches for multidisciplinary scientific problems
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by a strong publication and presentation record
• May require the ability to obtain a Q clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship

None

A Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, or a closely related field completed within the last five years or to be completed within six months is required.

• Experience with orthogonal or site‑selective bioconjugation and biomolecule characterization using methods such as click, thiol‑or amine‑selective chemistry, FPLC or SEC, LC‑MS, fluorescence, or functional assays
• Experience immobilizing ligands or biomolecules on resins, particles, membranes, fibers, organosilica, or other solid supports for batch or flow‑through applications
• Hands‑on experience analyzing complex matrices with modern purification and characterization methods such as HPLC, HRMS, MALDI‑TOF, NMR, UV‑Vis, fluorescence, or related techniques
• Experience with SPPS, flow chemistry, chemistry‑and bioanalysis‑laboratory automation
• Working knowledge of statistical programming, molecular modeling,…