Postdoc Fellow – Photoredox Catalysis

Job Description

Boston (Waltham), MA

Competitive Salary & Benefits

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we 're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society!

About the Postdoc Program:

Bring your expertise, apply your knowledge, follow the science and make a difference!

AstraZeneca’s Postdoc Programme is for self-motivated individuals looking to take on interesting, high impact projects in a collaborative, challenging and innovative environment.

Working with peers and professionals from diverse backgrounds, together with a world class academic mentor aligned specifically to your project, you’ll be respected as a specialist, and encouraged to speak up. You’ll also be empowered and supported to drive the success of your project, publish papers, achieve your goals and make difference to our patients.

You'll also benefit from our training program to help you learn about drug discovery and development from industry leaders working in our cutting edge research laboratories and organization.

About the Opportunity:

This vital research position provides an outstanding opportunity to expand your synthetic skills with exposure to highly collaborative, cutting-edge, oncology drug discovery programs.

In this Postdoc, you will lead on the following:

• Devise a strategy to develop novel synthetic methodology in the field of photo(redox)catalysis for medicinally relevant bond constructions.
• Synthesis, purification and isolation of substrates, metal pre-catalysts and ligands.
• Screening reaction conditions to identify the best reaction parameters for the novel synthetic transformations.
• Evaluation of substrate scope and investigation of reaction mechanism.
• Demonstrate applicability of the method through synthesis of complex drug-like scaffolds or short natural product synthesis.
• Maintain an electronic notebook of experimental work.
• Prepare weekly report of scientific results, engage in discussions with external academic advisor and AstraZeneca peers.
• Present data within AstraZeneca and externally at conferences.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Required:

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or related field
• Expertise in novel synthetic method development and multi-step synthesis of complex molecules
• Experience in modern synthetic chemistry, with the ability to tackle complex synthetic problems
• Proven understanding of mechanistic principles of photo(redox)chemistry and transition metal chemistry
• A good understanding of organic chemistry mechanism and reaction kinetics
• Proficient in spectroscopic methods for small molecule characterization (NMR, IR, UV, MS)
• Skilled in purifying organic compounds and inorganic complexes using chromatographic techniques, crystallization, distillation etc.
• Expertise in handling moisture-sensitive and pyrophoric reagents using schlenk techniques
• Experience of preparing manuscript and publishing in journals
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to conduct independent research, and work collaboratively as part of a team

Desirable:

• Synthetic method development experience in photocatalysis/photoredox catalysis
• An understanding of fluorine chemistry
• Experience in utilizing computational tools to gain mechanistic insights
• Experience in synthesis of complex drug-like scaffolds or natural product synthesis

This is a 3-year programme. 2 years will be a Fixed Term Contract, with a 1-year extension which will be merit based.

Applications Open: 13th August, 2021

Applications Close: 12th September, 2021