Research Associate

Competition 2133

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $59,822 - $82,266. This position has an initial appointment of three years.

Location -   Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department/ of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta provides an outstanding environment for studies in chemistry, is among the most research-active departments in Canada, and is regarded as being among the top three in the country. The department is one of the best equipped and best funded in North America and has a faculty renowned internationally for its excellence in teaching and research.

Position Summary

This is a full-time position in organic synthesis where the successful applicant will lead projects in nucleoside synthesis and electro-synthesis.

This position requires a highly trained synthetic chemist with experience in nucleoside method development and electro-synthesis. The successful applicant is expected to develop novel reactions and processes to enable nucleoside synthesis and support our lab’s collaborations in antiviral drug development. As such, the successful applicant will need to maintain a working knowledge of the related literature to ensure we are at the forefront of this area.

Duties 

• Develop new methods for synthesizing nucleoside analogues
• Develop new synthetic methods using electrochemistry
• Contribute to the day-to-day operations of the lab
• Present data to supervisor and collaborators
• Mentor junior lab members (i.e., undergraduates and graduate students)

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in organic chemistry
• At least 5 years of postdoctoral experience
• At least 1 year of experience in nucleoside analogue synthesis and related method development
• At least 2 years of experience in electrochemical heterogeneous catalysis for CO2 reduction
• Experience working in multidisciplinary collaborations around antiviral drug development
• Have high-level expertise in compound characterization (NMR analysis, 2D NMR analysis, MS, IR, enantiomeric excess determination, etc.)
• Experience with various purification techniques including flash column chromatography, automated purification, and preparative TLC purification
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a proven track record of high-quality research papers and presentations
• Previous experience as a lab safety officer is considered an asset

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following documents in ONE PDF document:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter - elaborate on previous research experiences in nucleoside synthesis and electrosynthesis. 
• List of Publications