Research Technician (Straub Lab

Research Technician (Straub Lab)

A Research Technician II position is available immediately in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh. This is a staff scientist role embedded within a drug discovery program focused on cardiovascular disease. The successful candidate will lead the design and synthesis of novel small molecules, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to advance compounds from concept through preclinical evaluation.

Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, synthesis, and optimization of novel small molecules targeting cardiovascular disease pathways
• Apply structure-activity relationship (SAR) principles and medicinal chemistry strategies
• Use computational tools and scientific literature to guide hit identification, lead optimization, and candidate selection
• Execute multi-step organic syntheses including route development, troubleshooting, and scale-up of promising compounds for biological evaluation
• Perform compound characterization using NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, and related analytical techniques
• Work closely with pharmacology colleagues to interpret in vitro and in vivo biological data and use these findings to drive iterative compound design
• Maintain an organized compound library and accurate chemical inventory
• Maintain detailed and up-to-date laboratory notebooks, records, and sample inventory logs
• Manage reagent and supply ordering, oversee equipment maintenance, and develop standard operating protocols
• Analyze experimental data, prepare scientific reports, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and assist in the preparation of grant proposals
• Collaborate with all laboratory members, fostering their development in synthetic chemistry and scientific professionalism

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field
• Strong background and hands-on proficiency in medicinal chemistry
• Experience with multi-step organic synthesis, reaction optimization, and purification of synthetic intermediates and final compounds
• Proficiency in analytical techniques such as NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, and HPLC
• Solid understanding of SAR principles and drug-like property optimization including ADMET considerations
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accurate record-keeping

Location and Commitment:

This is a full-time, in-person position based at the University of Pittsburgh. The role requires regular on-site attendance and active participation in laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, and collaborative research sessions.