Scientist Computational Chemistry

25 سبتمبر، 2022

0 6 3 دقائق

الوصف الوظيفي

SCIENTIST – COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY
Our experts turn what once couldn't be done, into what we can't live without. In our 80-year legacy, Southern Research has helped shape modern cancer treatments, including developing seven FDA-approved drugs and testing more than half of active chemotherapies in the United States. Every layer of our team of scientific and professional staff serves a fundamental role in moving science.
We believe the world's most powerful resource is human potential. We embody an inclusive and courageous team where everyone is empowered to share ideas and where innovation and diversity of thought go hand in hand. We measure what matters and own results as a team. We are motivated to serve communities that are underserved and markets that are overlooked.
Founded in Birmingham in 1941, Southern Research is a non-profit, scientific research organization that employs a staff of 250 scientists and professionals. Southern Research has 80-year legacy of moving science. For example, the organization has helped shape modern cancer treatment practices including developing seven FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs. As another example, Southern Research has conducted more than $30 million in coronavirus research over the past two years, making contribution to the development of both novel antiviral agents and COVID-19 vaccine. The organization is the highest NIH-funded, non-academic research center in Alabama and has a $150 million annual economic impact.
Southern Research continues to transform ideas into innovation, and innovation into jobs and economic opportunity. The organization recently unveiled a new strategic plan centered on making Birmingham and Alabama national biotech centers of excellence in partnership with regional academic institutions, policymakers, educators, and economic development organizations. The Scientific Platforms division currently have multiple drug discovery pipelines ranging from early stages to preclinical/clinical studies covering oncology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, rare diseases, and other therapeutic areas.
General Summary
As Southern Research invests in new business lines and grows its core scientific capabilities, the Scientist – Computational Chemistry will work in the computer-aided drug discovery lab (CADD) within the Chemistry Department of the Scientific Platforms division and be responsible for providing computational chemistry support in the planning, designing, and conducting of highly technical and complex research projects in multidisciplinary platforms involving both internal and external collaborations.
To fill this position, Southern Research is looking for an energetic and nimble executor who thinks critically and collaborates effectively with experts across the fields. If you have enthusiasm for applying state-of-the-art in silico approaches in drug discovery to help find solutions for the many medical challenges in the world, and have demonstrated strong analytical, problem-solving skills, and scientific creativity, we want to meet you.
Duties & Responsibilities of the Position

Works with other computational scientists using commercial modeling software (or open-source platforms) to apply or develop in silico approaches for drug discovery such as machine learning (ML) models.
Provides research and technical support to one or more Principal Investigators.
Participates in drug discovery projects on a multidisciplinary team including chemists, biologists, and high throughput screening experts.
Generates and interprets in silico data, then communicates them with the lead scientist of the CADD lab as well as project teams.
Contributes to grant applications, manuscript publications, and conference presentations.
Operates and maintains scientific equipment and learns new instrumental techniques.
Maintains external awareness of scientific discipline through familiarity with current scientific literature.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in chemistry, computer science, bioinformatics, physics, or related discipline.
B.S. or M.S. in related discipline with exceptional talent will also be considered.
Knowledge of computational chemistry methods, especially in the scope of computer-aided drug discovery.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and scientific creativity.
Ability to work both independently and as a member of a collaborative, scientific team.
Ability to observe safety protocols and appropriately operate scientific instruments such as high-performance computers.

Preferred Qualifications

Coding experience in Python, Google Colab, shell scripts, R, Perl, or Tcl/Tk.
Experience in web/user interface development, cloud computing, or high-performance computer (especially Linux OS) administration.
Familiar with modeling platforms/software such as DeepChem, KNIME, TensorFlow, BIOVIA Pipeline Pilot, Optibrium StarDrop, Schrödinger (e.g., IFD-MD and GPU-accelerated Desmond), AMBER, CHARMM, QChem, VMD, or Autodoc Vina.
Working knowledge of any of the following topics: machine learning, Omics, DNA-encoded library, CRISPR, PROTAC, therapeutic target/biomarker discovery, antibiotic drug resistance, precision medicine, and bio-macromolecule drug discovery (e.g., antibody optimization).