Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Salary: DOE, $80,200-$94,500 along with bonus eligibility and comprehensive benefits package
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Onsite, Mon-Fri)

Our Mission
Formerly known as the Ellison Institute of Technology Los Angeles, the Ellison Medical Institute strives to spark innovation, leverage technology, and drive interdisciplinary, patient-centered research to continually enhance health, reimagine and redefine cancer care, and transform lives.
 
Established in 2016 as a medical research and development center, the Institute features innovation labs for artificial intelligence and molecular analytics and was among the first organizations to vertically integrate the interdisciplinary study and treatment of disease. We offer multifaceted programs, including a preventative medicine and cancer clinic, cross-disciplinary research laboratories, a health policy think-tank, and community outreach and educational programs.

Please visit emila.org for more details.

Job Summary
The Ellison Medical Institute is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our multidisciplinary drug discovery team. This position will focus on the design and synthesis of linker chemistry for targeted drug conjugates, with an emphasis on developing next-generation therapies for prostate cancer.

The successful candidate will apply advanced synthetic chemistry and medicinal chemistry principles to optimize pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact translational research in a collaborative environment that brings together scientists, clinicians, and AI experts. You’ll be mentored by leading industry scientists and play a key role in advancing the Institute’s expanding therapeutic pipeline.

This is a one year appointment, with the potential for extension based on research progress. 

Why Join Us

• Contribute to Breakthrough Science with Real-World Impact: At the Ellison Medical Institute, your work won’t sit on a shelf. You’ll help translate cutting-edge chemistry into therapeutic solutions that have the potential to directly improve patient outcomes, particularly in prostate cancer and other high-need areas.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines to Drive Innovation: You’ll be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team where chemists, biologists, AI engineers, and clinicians work side-by-side. This structure fosters true innovation—enabling rapid iteration, meaningful dialogue, and accelerated progress from bench to bedside.
• Grow in a Supportive, Mentorship-Focused Environment: You’ll be mentored by experienced scientists and gain exposure to the entire drug development lifecycle. Whether you aim to pursue a career in academia, biotech, or industry R&D, your experience here will position you for success.

Job Accountabilities:

• Compound Design: Design novel linkers for drug conjugates using medicinal chemistry expertise, cheminformatics tools, and predictive AI models.
• Synthesis: Plan and execute multi-step synthesis of linkers, small molecules, peptides, peptidomimetics, and nucleotides; troubleshoot synthetic routes as needed.
• Purification & Characterization: Purify and characterize compounds using industry-standard tools including NMR (1D/2D), LC-MS, UPLC, automated flash chromatography, and preparative HPLC.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate, timely records in electronic or manual lab notebooks; ensure reproducibility and transparency of methods and results.
• Communication & Collaboration: Present findings at group meetings and internal seminars; contribute to mentoring junior researchers.
• Cross-functional Teamwork: Collaborate with colleagues in Target Biology, DMPK, and Data Science to integrate findings and advance drug development programs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Required Education: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related field with emphasis on organic synthesis.
• Required Skills & Experience:  
  • Strong background in organic synthesis, including route scouting and optimization.
  • Proficient with cheminformatics and database tools (e.g., SciFinder, Reaxys) for literature and patent analysis.
  • Familiarity with predictive software (e.g., Schrödinger suite) for ADME/Tox and physiochemical property modeling.
  • Experience with SAR (Structure-Activity Relationship) analysis; experience with ADME/PK data interpretation preferred but not required.
  • Skilled in analytical techniques including NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, UPLC, flash chromatography, and HPLC.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
  • Excellent communication skills, with a proactive and detail-oriented work ethic.

For the safety and health of employees, guests, and patients, the Ellison Medical Institute may mandate vaccination requirements for employment. The Ellison Medical Institute's policies are always subject to review and change to ensure they are appropriate under the circumstances.

The Ellison Medical Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that an inclusive, collaborative team environment is just as important to our mission as stethoscopes and microscopes. We strive to always provide employees a supportive atmosphere, so they feel confident taking creative risks toward innovation. The Ellison Medical Institute values emotional intelligence and communication with empathy and respect for others. We seek to build a diverse group of people who are curious, have a deep sense of responsibility, and the grit needed to achieve excellence.