Research Associate III- Natural Products Job ID: req305Facility: Frederick: Ft DetrickLocation: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA The Frederick National Laboratory is dedicated to improving human health through discovery and innovation in the biomedical sciences, focusing on cancer, AIDS, and emerging infectious diseases. Position Overview: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Basic Science Program (BSP) pursues independent, multidisciplinary research in basic and applied molecular biology, immunology, retrovirology, cancer biology, and human genetics. Research efforts and support are an integral part of the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR). The Molecular Targets Program (MTP) provides the focus and infrastructure that enables CCR investigators to pursue molecularly targeted drug discovery research by promoting an interdisciplinary, collaborative, team-oriented approach to identifying and validating potential cancer-pertinent targets. The Natural Products Chemistry Section (NPCS) of the MTP, under the scientific direction of Dr. Kirk Gustafson, studies the structural chemistry and biological properties of naturally occurring compounds from terrestrial plants, marine organisms, and microbial isolates. His discovery of biologically active natural products has provided novel structural classes of complex secondary metabolites with unusual molecular scaffolds and functional group arrays. KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES The NPCS provides research support involving the isolation and identification of novel bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic value for molecular targets of interest to many investigators across CCR. Dedicated research support is needed to provide bioassay-guided isolation and characterization of biologically active small molecules and peptides by spectroscopic (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance [NMR], mass spectrometry, infrared [IR], ultra-violet [UV], optical rotation) and chemical methods. Individual will: Develop chromatographic methods to fractionate natural product extracts and isolate individual metabolites Perform final purification by high performance liquid chromatography (hplc) to provide compounds suitable for spectroscopic analysis Use nmr analysis, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (lc-ms), and biological testing methods of chromatography fractions Perform 1-dimension (1d) and 2-dimension (2d) nmr studies and lc-ms characterization of purified natural product compounds Assist in the development of a searchable library of heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectroscopy (hsqc) nmr spectra to aid in dereplication and compound isolation efforts. Assist in the development of ir based dereplication efforts Develop protocols for acquiring ir data on biologically active chromatography fractions and analysis methods Development and implementation of protocols for rapid fractionation of crude natural product extracts Isolation and identification of novel bioactive compounds, data management, and record keeping for all compounds that are isolated Library maintenance for all purified compounds Inventory and re-supply of all necessary equipment and expendables Management, inventory, and service of lab equipment and instruments Individual may oversee the work of college and high school interns Complex assignments are performed independently and reported to supervisor or scientist. May be required to develop new assays or production methods. May supervise a staff of technical personnel. Responsible for data triage and quality control evaluations. Serves as technical authority in the absence of the lead laboratory scientist. Preparation of research plans, proposals, or new production methodologies. May include formal reporting of data including presentation and/or publications. Remain knowledgeable in pertinent areas through literature and scientific presentations. Performs other related duties as assigned by a responsible authority. Function independently in a specialized laboratory of research or specialized scientific service, requiring originality and judgment. Independently evaluate the suitability and quality control of research or production assays or tests; supervise a technical staff. Basic subject matter of specialty area (ie, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, etc.); advanced data reporting techniques, mathematics and statistics. Basic laboratory techniques germane to the specialty area (ie Sterile procedures, safety procedures, instrument operation, etc.). BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in a field related to biomedical research. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education). Foreign degrees must be evaluated for US equivalency. In addition to educational requirements, a minimum of eight (8) years related biomedical experienceKnowledge and experience in the isolation and structure elucidation of antitumor antimicrobial small molecules and peptides from natural product extracts that are screened in molecularly targeted high-throughput assaysMust be able to obtain and maintain a security clearanceEqual Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)