Researcher/Scientist IV

The R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy at University of Arizona is accepting applications for a Researcher/Scientist IV position in the High Throughput Biology Core (HTBC). This position provides an opportunity to contribute to innovative drug discovery research in collaboration with the Arizona Center for Drug Discovery, the University of Arizona Cancer Center, and research partners across the University.

The successful candidate will support drug discovery programs spanning cancer, neuroscience, metabolic disease, and other therapeutic areas. Responsibilities will include bioassay development, cellular engineering, high-throughput screening, hit validation, chemical biology, and translational research. The Researcher/Scientist IV will work across biological targets, assay platforms, and emerging technologies while collaborating with researchers across multiple colleges, centers, and external partners.

This position is ideal for a highly motivated and intellectually curious scientist who enjoys working across research areas, learning new technologies, and applying innovative approaches to biological research and drug discovery.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Cell Biology & Cellular Engineering

• Conduct complex experimental research across a diverse portfolio of biological targets, assay modalities, and therapeutic areas to advance drug discovery programs.
• Design, develop, optimize, and implement robust cell-based assays and experimental workflows.
• Engineer and characterize cellular systems incorporating technologies such as luciferase, NanoLuc, BRET, NanoBRET, HiBiT, and HaloTag.

Assay Development & High-Throughput Screening

• Develop, miniaturize, and scale multiple biochemical and cell-based assay formats for high-throughput screening.
• Analyze, optimize, and validate multiwell assays for robustness, reproducibility, and suitability for screening campaigns.

Research Administration and Management

• Serve as the scientific lead working closely with ACDD and UACC leadership to establish project timelines, milestones, goals, and measurable indicators of success.
• Communicate funding opportunities, program announcements, and available capabilities to faculty and other stakeholders.
• Prepare timely project updates, technical reports, and program-level summaries.
• Build collaborative relationships with ORP and UACC centers and cores, including partnerships with the GEMMS Core and investigators to develop cell-based assays.
• Consult with principal investigators and research teams during project initiation to define scientific objectives, technical requirements, deliverables, and resource needs.
• Contribute to the development of collaborative grant applications, including scientific narratives, technical sections, project plans, milestones, and supporting materials.

External and Internal Communication

• Present seminars and workshops on the technical, strategic, and translational aspects of drug discovery and development at the University of Arizona.
• Promote the adoption of emerging concepts, technologies, and best practices in drug discovery, including the translation and commercialization of university intellectual property.
• Partner with ACDD leadership to brief senior university leaders and serve as a subject matter expert on strategic research initiatives.
• Represent the organization externally as a recognized professional in academic drug discovery and development conducted to industry standards.

Automation & Screening Operations

• Co-lead assay automation and compound cherry-picking activities in collaboration with the Functional Genomics Core, including chemical library selection and curation.
• Execute screening workflows in 96- and 384-well plate formats using automated liquid-handling systems and compound-dispensing technologies, including pintool and Echo acoustic dispensing.
• Develop and validate high-content screening approaches using advanced imaging platforms.
• Analyze and interpret complex screening and imaging datasets using software such as CDD Vault, GraphPad Prism, JMP, and Genedata, and clearly communicate findings in technical reports and presentations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge with multiple assay technologies including: TR-FRET, HTRF, AlphaLisa, enzyme activity assays, luminescence-based assays, proximity-based assay platforms.
• Knowledge of high-content imaging platforms and associated image analysis software.
• Knowledge of cellular reporters, antibody staining, multiplexed imaging assays, phenotypic screening, and/or cell-painting approaches preferred.
• Knowledge of screening and assay analysis software such as CDD Vault, Prism, JMP, Genedata, or related platforms desirable.
• Ability to manage multiple parallel projects in a dynamic and fast-paced discovery environment.
• Collaborative and team-oriented with strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to independently drive projects forward while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Extensive hands-on skills in culturing and maintaining multiple mammalian cell lines across various tissue types.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Doctoral degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, Pharmacology or related field or equivalent terminal degree in a related discipline required.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Experience working in drug discovery, translational research, or screening core environments.
• Experience integrating biological, pharmacological, and imaging datasets to support project progression.
• Experience with small molecule screening libraries, hit-to-lead workflows, or medicinal chemistry support activities.
• Experience with target validation strategies and translational biomarker development.