Assistant Director, Baylor Synthesis

What We Are Looking For

Baylor University is seeking the Assistant Director, Baylor Synthesis & Drug-Lead Discovery Laboratory & Associate Research Professor. The assistant director leads a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing therapeutic discovery through innovative synthetic chemistry and drug development. This role manages all aspects of the laboratory's operations including synthetic chemistry, oversight of post-doctoral researchers, undergraduate mentoring, and grant writing while driving forward groundbreaking research in early stage drug-lead discovery.

A doctoral degree and ten years of relevant work experience are required. 

All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. 

What You Will Do

• Provide scientific leadership and strategic vision for the laboratory's research programs 
• Develop and implements long-term goals aligned with institutional priorities and emerging therapeutic needs 
• Foster collaborations with faculty, investigators, and external partners 
• Represent the laboratory at institutional, national, and international scientific forums
• Direct synthetic chemistry programs focused on lead compound identification and optimization 
• Oversee structure-activity relationship studies and organic chemistry campaigns 
• Guide transition of promising compounds 
• Maintain expertise in current synthetic methodologies and drug-discovery technologies 
• Publish high-impact research in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences
• Supervise laboratory personnel including research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate & undergraduate students, and technical staff 
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements 
• Manage laboratory resources, equipment maintenance, and facility operations 
• Oversee budget planning and resource allocation 
• Implements quality control measures and standard operating procedures 
• Conduct laboratory experiments including methods development, natural product derivatization, isolation and structure elucidation/characterization of novel organic compounds, HPLC purifications and biological probe synthesis
• Build strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies 
• Facilitate technology