Staff Scientist

Online applications must be received before 12:00am on:

April 21, 2025

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

327-YN_FACULTY - Staff Scientist

Business Title:

Staff Scientist

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

The Opportunity

The Department of Chemistry at Washington State University (WSU) announces an opening for a Staff Scientist to assist in the development and evaluation of PSMA-targeted, pH-responsive small molecule dual drug conjugates (SMDDCs) that bear two different chemotherapeutic drugs with different mechanisms of action and simultaneously releases both drugs upon internalization in PSMA-positive tumor cells.

The successful candidate will be supported by extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health – National Cancer Institute. This is a 12-month 0.75 FTE (30 hr/wk), fixed-term position with the possibility of annual renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance, interest, and availability of funds. The position will be based in Pullman, WA, in Fullmer Hall at WSU.

Responsibilities

• Training graduate students.

• Writing manuscripts/proposals.

• Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Performing click chemistry for the assembly, isolation, characterization, and stability of SMDDCs

  • Performing PSMA inhibition assays (e.g., IC50) for SMDDCs

  • Determining the mode of inhibition of SMDDCs to PSMA

  • Prostate cancer cell culture

  • Fluorescence microscopy for visualizing prostate cancer cell uptake and internalization

  • Cell viability assays as they relate to PSMA-targeted SMDDCs

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences or related field by time of hire.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience, as evidenced by publications, in the preparation and in vitro evaluation of PSMA-targeted agents.

• Experience in performing PSMA enzyme binding assays as well as determining inhibitory potency (IC50) and mode of inhibition.

• Experience in performing Western blots on prostate cancer cell lysates.

• Strong background in peptide chemistry employing solution phase peptide synthesis and click chemistry.

• Demonstrated communication skills to be able to participate collaboratively with team members and subject matter experts coupled with self-motivation to work independently.

• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.

• Willingness and desire to learn new skills and willingness to work on emerging projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong publication record, including PSMA-targeted agents, small molecule drug conjugates, prostate cancer, pH-responsive linker chemistry, and peptide chemistry.

• Experience with analytical and preparatory reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

• Experience with solid phase extraction purification.

• Experience in maintaining prostate cancer cell lines, cell fixation, cell viability assays, and fluorescence microscopy.

Annual Salary: $54,000; 0.75 FTE of a full-time equivalent. | $72,000 annual salary.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty please review the summary of benefits for WSU Faculty and Total Compensation.

About WSU/College of Arts and Sciences/Department of Chemistry - Webpage

WSU, a land grant, multiple-campus Research 1 institution. This position