"Scientific Researcher"

Job Summary

The Scientific Researcher staff position focuses on advanced computational chemistry and biochemistry studies, directed by Prof. William Goddard within the Materials and Process Simulation Center in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Caltech. This role will involve cutting-edge research in a variety of scientific areas, including drug discovery, molecular dynamics, and next-generation energy materials.

Essential Job Duties

• Signal Transduction and Drug Discovery: Investigate signal transduction mechanisms through G protein-coupled receptors for drug discovery.
• Antiviral Drug Development: Develop antiviral drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1.
• Precision Cancer Therapy: Design novel PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras) for precision cancer therapy.
• Reactivity and Force Fields: Develop reactive force fields (ReaxFF) to describe next-generation energy materials.
• Li Metal Batteries: Investigate the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) for high-efficiency Li metal batteries.
• Polymer Electrolyte Membranes: Predict proton transfer mechanisms in polymer electrolyte membranes.
• Molecular Electrets: Investigate structural and dipole dynamics in molecular electrets.
• Nanomaterials: Predict the formation processes and reaction mechanisms of nanomaterials.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: BS and PhD in Chemistry, Physics, or Materials Science.
• Knowledge:
• Strong understanding of quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics, and force fields for chemical systems.
• Good understanding of the electronic structure of materials, reaction kinetics, and electrochemical systems.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills for collaboration and documentation.
• Eagerness: Demonstrated eagerness to learn and tackle challenging, sometimes seemingly "impossible," simulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with the following computational tools and software:
• Ab-initio calculation packages: VASP (plane-wave basis set), JAGUAR (Gaussian basis sets), CRYSTAL (hybrid DFT with Gaussian basis sets).
• MD simulation software: LAMMPS.
• Bond-detection tools for solids: LOBSTER.
• Open-source packages for atomic simulations: ASE, MP_API, Pymatgen.

Required Documents

• CV (Curriculum Vitae)

Hiring Range

• $60,000 - $82,500 per year

The salary will be determined based on factors such as internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

Benefits

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, Caltech offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their dependents, including:

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Onsite counseling and sick time (for non-benefit eligible employees)

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

For more information on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), refer to EEOC Self-Print Poster.

Disability Accommodations

If you need accommodation during the application process or any part of the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu.