POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER - Biochemistry - Qin Lab

Position Summary

The Department of Biochemistry at UT Southwestern Medical Center invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the laboratory of Dr. Tian Qin. The Qin laboratory develops innovative synthetic methodologies that enable the efficient construction of complex, bioactive molecules, natural products, and pharmaceutical compounds. The lab combines modern synthetic organic chemistry with applications in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and drug discovery to address important problems in human health.

The successful candidate will lead independent research while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of chemists and biomedical scientists. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to develop cutting-edge synthetic methods and translate them toward biologically relevant molecules with therapeutic potential.

Research Areas

Current research programs in the Qin laboratory include:

• Development of novel catalytic and radical-mediated synthetic transformations
• Late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals and complex molecules
• Synthesis of bioactive natural products and structurally complex small molecules
• Design and synthesis of three-dimensional (sp³-rich) bioisosteres for medicinal chemistry
• Development of synthetic strategies that accelerate drug discovery
• Collaborative chemical biology projects involving therapeutic target validation and probe development
• Translation of synthetic methodologies toward applications in oncology, infectious disease, and gene delivery technologies

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and execute innovative research in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Develop new synthetic methodologies, reaction mechanisms, and catalytic transformations.
• Plan and synthesize complex target molecules, natural products, and medicinally relevant compounds.
• Apply modern synthetic techniques to enable medicinal chemistry and chemical biology collaborations.
• Characterize reaction products using NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, HRMS, chromatography, and related analytical techniques.
• Design experiments to investigate reaction mechanisms and optimize synthetic processes.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records and analyze experimental data.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in leading peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international scientific meetings.
• Assist with grant preparation and contribute scientific ideas to new research initiatives.
• Mentor graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and visiting scientists.
• Foster a collaborative, safe, and intellectually engaging laboratory environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong publication record demonstrating excellence in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Demonstrated experience with modern synthetic methodologies and multistep organic synthesis.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research environment.
• Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with one or more of the following areas of expertise are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Radical chemistry and photoredox catalysis
• Transition metal catalysis
• Organoboron chemistry
• Heterocyclic chemistry
• Natural product synthesis
• Late-stage functionalization
• Medicinal chemistry
• Reaction mechanism investigation
• High-throughput experimentation
• Chemical biology or interdisciplinary collaborative research

Experience with computational chemistry, reaction optimization, or medicinal chemistry collaborations is advantageous but not required.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated scientist with creativity, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for developing innovative synthetic solutions to challenging chemical and biomedical problems. Candidates should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, scientific independence, and a commitment to collaborative research.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of the nation's premier academic medical centers, offering exceptional resources for interdisciplinary research. The Qin laboratory collaborates broadly with investigators across chemistry, structural biology, cancer biology, pharmacology, and translational medicine. Current research has resulted in high-impact publications in Journal of the American Chemical Society, Nature Chemistry, Nature Reviews Chemistry, Nature Synthesis, Science, and other leading journals.

Opportunities

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will have opportunities to:

• Publish in leading scientific journals.
• Present research at national and international conferences.
• Build collaborations with investigators across UT Southwestern.
• Mentor junior laboratory members.
• Develop an independent research portfolio to prepare for careers in academia, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical industry.
• Participate in career development and professional training programs offered through UT Southwestern.

Interested individuals must upload a CV, and a list of three references.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community.  As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.

To learn more about the benefits UT Southwestern offers, visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/