Director, Core, VICB
Director, Core, VICB
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Job Description
Position Summary:
The Director of the Molecular Design and Synthesis Center (MDSC) is responsible for leading and overseeing all operations of the core ensuring its strategic and scientific impact across Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The Director manages financial and administrative functions supervises professional staff maintains high standards of scientific rigor and provides expertise in synthetic chemistry to support biomedical research. The Director of MDSC will work directly with the Director of the Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (VICB) to help enact a broader vision for improving the scientific robustness and operational efficiency of the core.
The Director plays a central role in advancing drug discovery chemical probe development and small-molecule synthesis efforts. Core activities span compound library design lead optimization proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) isotopically labeled lipid metabolites nucleotides peptides natural products and other complex molecules. The Director also advises investigators on synthetic route design compound characterization and preclinical candidate preparation. By combining strategic leadership with technical expertise the Director ensures that the MDSC delivers state-of-the-art resources that accelerate translational science and therapeutic discovery.
About the Work Unit:
The VICB is a multi-disciplinary institute within the Basic Sciences of the Vanderbilt School of Medicine. Founded in 2002 the VICBs mission is to establish research and education programs in the application of chemical technologies to biological problems with the long-term goal of improving human health. MDSC provides collaborative expertise and resources for the design synthesis and optimization of bioactive molecules enabling transformative chemical biology and drug discovery efforts across campus and beyond.
Key Responsibilities:
Core Leadership and Administration
- Oversee financial and budgetary operations including resource allocation cost recovery and strategic planning for long-term sustainability.
- Develop implement and maintain standard operating procedures to ensure high-quality reproducible results.
- Manage core scheduling access and reporting to ensure efficient service delivery and equitable use of resources.
- Represent the MDSC on the VICB Core Focus Committee and other institutional forums.
- Communicate frequently and effectively with the Director of VICB on strategic planning and operational efficiencies.
Scientific Expertise and Research Support
- Provide intellectual leadership in the design and synthesis of compound libraries supporting projects that advance from early discovery to preclinical evaluation.
- Direct large-scale synthesis of intermediates and preclinical candidates ensuring material quality (>98% purity) for in vivo studies.
- Lead development and optimization of synthetic routes to complex compounds including lipid metabolites nucleotides peptides natural products and PROTACs.
- Guide the design and synthesis of chemical probes including novel candidates for ion channel studies and applications in high-throughput screening.
- Review potency DMPK and SAR data; provide recommendations for compound series selection.
- Contribute to experimental documentation for patent filings and technology development.
Collaboration and Engagement
- Foster strong collaborations with investigators across Vanderbilt and beyond including pharmacology engineering imaging radiochemistry and biochemistry groups.
- Partner with the High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Core radiochemistry staff and other cores to enable integrated discovery programs.
- Communicate effectively with faculty staff and external collaborators ensuring alignment of scientific goals with core capabilities.
Training Mentorship and Team Development
- Supervise and mentor professional staff within the MDSC.
- Provide training guidance and career development opportunities for scientific staff and trainees.
- Promote a positive and inclusive work environment that values collaboration constructive feedback and continuous learning.
Supervisory Relationships:
The Director of MDSC has supervisory responsibility for all other MDSC staff and reports administratively and functionally to the Director of VICB. The Director of MDSC is expected to exercise independent judgment in scientific and administrative decision-making.
Education and Certifications:
Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from an accredited institution of higher education (required).
Experience and Skills (required):
- At least 7 years of postdoctoral or equivalent professional research experience in synthetic chemistry or drug discovery.
- Demonstrated expertise in experimental design synthesis compound characterization and optimization.
- Proven ability to lead complex projects interpret results and advance programs from discovery through preclinical candidate development.
- Experience managing budgets resources and core facilities or equivalent research infrastructure.
- Strong record of collaboration with interdisciplinary teams such as biologists engineers or clinicians.
- Effective supervisory and mentorship skills with the ability to guide staff and trainees in both technical and professional development.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to present results engage stakeholders and foster a collaborative environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to create and sustain a positive work culture and incorporate constructive feedback.
- Commitment to staying current with scientific literature and emerging trends in chemical synthesis and drug discovery.
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
