Director, Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Development Core
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department

BSD SRF - Office of Shared Research Facilities

About the Department

The MCDDC is a shared resource of the Biological Sciences Division whose purpose is to help researchers explore biological hypotheses and develop and test novel therapeutic agents. The mission of this core facility is to develop probes for biomarker characterization and validation and to advance projects through the drug discovery and early drug development process. It is envisioned that MCDDC will be a multi-component shared resource equipped with state-of-the-art equipment spanning Medicinal Chemistry (MDCM) and Biopharmaceutical Optimization. The MCDDC will engage investigators across the BSD and other Divisions of UChicago, as well as external collaborators in a transdisciplinary collaborative fashion, and advance projects through the drug discovery and early drug development process.

Job Summary

The job manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource. This position provides scientific direction of the Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Development core facility in conjunction with the Faculty Advisor. In addition, this position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the core as well as partnering with Principal Investigators to help optimize experimental results.

Responsibilities

• Provides synthesis of chemical probes or tool compounds for biological target validation.
  
• Application of structure-activity and structure-property relationship optimization.
  
• Analytic characterization of compounds for identity and purity.
  
• Physicochemical property assessments, synthesis of suitable quantities of test article for in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies.
  
• Resource identification for compound synthesis, hit confirmation and prioritization, hit-to-probe optimization, probe-to-lead optimization, lead-to-preclinical-candidate optimization and to clinical-candidate optimization.
  
• Partners with cell screening facility for in vitro pharmacology testing; compound solubility and stability enhancement; as well as drug-substance and dosage-form analysis.
  
• Analytical chemistry and bio-analytical method development, physical /chemical characterization of drug candidates. Partners with UChicago investigators and Animal Resources Center for in vivo pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution characterization; preparation of dose formulations, animal pharmacokinetic studies and early-stage ADMET screening of lead candidates.
  
• Facilitates transfer of small-scale synthesis of optimized lead candidates to contract manufactures for compound scale-up in support of early drug development activities.
  
• Manages, plans, and evaluates regulatory elements of multiple or complex research projects for a designated department, program, or central unit.
  
• Ensures the identification, collection, and analysis of data that serve as a basis for outcome measurement of assigned research studies.
  
• Establishes standard operating procedures for continuous review and development of quality improvement plans for our unit. Advances research objectives through participation in professional committees and presentations. Ensures timely reporting of research data, following study specific guidelines.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Competencies

• Strong analytical, organizational and communication skills.
  
• Attention to details.
  
• Able to multi-tasking efficiently.
  
• Strong collaborative skills, demonstrated leadership capabilities and strong written and verbal communication skills.
  

Working Conditions

• Office/Lab.
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover Letter (preferred)
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

People Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

Employees must comply with the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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