Research Associate (Natural Product Analytical Chemist) (0097699T)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : UH Hilo, Hilo, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number: 2026-01435
Department: University of Hawai'i at Hilo - College of Pharmacy
Division: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/20/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:: 097699T

Description
Title: Research Associate (Natural Product Analytical Chemist)

Position Number: 0097699T

Hiring Unit: Academic Affairs, College of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Location: UH Hilo

Date Posted: July 6, 2026

Closing Date: July 20, 2026

Salary:

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately October 2026, pending position clearance and availability of funding.
Position Overview

The University of Hawai'i at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawai'i, recognized for its integration of cultural immersion and place-based research that leverages the island's extraordinary geological, biological, and cultural diversity. A comprehensive, regional campus within the ten-campus University of Hawai'i System, UH Hilo offers high-quality undergraduate and select postgraduate education, with distinctive strengths in areas such as marine science, geology, astronomy, and Hawaiian language revitalization, while advancing research, scholarship, and creative activity that support community needs, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge systems, and workforce development for the State of Hawai'i.

The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) is dedicated to educating future healthcare professionals, advancing pharmaceutical sciences, and improving the health of Hawai'i and the Pacific region through excellence in teaching, research, service, and community engagement.

DKICP conducts innovative research in pharmaceutical sciences, such as natural products chemistry, drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, clinical and translational research, and health outcomes. Research programs focus on the study of herbal medicine, the discovery and development of bioactive compounds from natural sources, evaluation of therapeutic agents, advancement of healthcare practices, and addressing health challenges relevant to Hawai'i, the Pacific Islands, and global communities. Research activities involve interdisciplinary collaborations with academic, governmental, healthcare, and industry partners.

The Research Associate supports the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy's research programs in natural products chemistry, analytical chemistry, and metabolomics. The position conducts advanced laboratory research, develops and applies analytical methods, operates sophisticated analytical instrumentation, analyzes scientific data, and contributes to publications, reports, and collaborative research projects. The Research Associate works closely with faculty, staff, students, and external collaborators to advance the College's research mission.

Duties and Responsibilities (* denotes essential functions):

1. *Design, develop, optimize, validate, and implement advanced analytical methodologies for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of trace-level plant-, fungal-, and bacterial-derived secondary metabolites, as well as chemical contaminants including mycotoxins, pesticides/insecticides, solvent residues, heavy metals, and related compounds.
2. *Apply advanced scientific principles in analytical chemistry, natural products chemistry, metabolomics, and chemical analysis to investigate complex biological and environmental matrices using sophisticated analytical instrumentation and data interpretation methodologies.
3. *Perform structural elucidation, metabolomic profiling, quantitative chemical analysis, and interpretation of complex analytical datasets using advanced analytical platforms including HPLC, ICP-MS, LC/MS, GC/MS, and NMR systems.
4. *Independently operate, calibrate, optimize, maintain, and troubleshoot sophisticated analytical instrumentation, including but not limited to HPLC, ICP-MS, LC/MS, GC/MS, and NMR systems, to support high-precision research activities and ensure analytical accuracy, reproducibility, regulatory compliance, and data integrity.
5. *Evaluate instrument performance, implement quality control procedures, assist with analytical method validation, and coordinate advanced technical support and instrument optimization activities with instrument vendors and scientific collaborators.
6. Collaborate and communicate effectively with Principal Investigators, faculty researchers, research staff, collaborators, sponsors, and external scientific partners regarding experimental design, analytical methodologies, interpretation of scientific results, instrumentation performance, and research progress.
7. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior laboratory personnel, students, and research staff in advanced analytical techniques, instrumentation operation, laboratory best practices, and scientific data interpretation.
8. Prepare, maintain, and review detailed scientific documentation including experimental procedures, analytical protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical reports, data summaries, and research findings.
9. Analyze and interpret complex analytical results and contribute to scientific manuscripts, presentations, report- or grant-related documentation, and other research communications in a professional and timely manner.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Possession of a PhD in Natural Products Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for Natural Products Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
2. Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of analytical chemistry, natural products chemistry, metabolomics, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex biological and environmental matrices as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
3. Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with research administration and compliance.
4. Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
5. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
7. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and specialized scientific software such as MestReNova for NMR data analysis, MassHunter for LC-MS data processing, and other related analytical software.
8. If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

To Apply: Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document. A complete application must include:

1. Cover letter explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met
2. Current resume
3. The names and addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) current
professional references
4. Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to employment.

Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number and birth date on transcript copies. Copy of diplomas will NOT be accepted. Documents issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant. All requested documents/information become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.

Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

Inquiries: Dr. Shugeng Cao at [click to reveal email address]scao@hawaii.edu.

EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: [click to reveal website link]https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: [click to reveal website link]https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: [click to reveal website link]https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled
YOUR JOB BENEFITS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I
The University of Hawai'i is committed to providing benefits that matter to you at each stage of your employment. In addition to competitive salary, we offer a wide variety of resources and benefits programs to our employees, such as a comprehensive health care insurance, pension/retirement program, life insurance, supplemental retirement savings plans, vacation leave, sick leave, paid holidays, child care assistance and education assistance programs. To view a summary of the employee benefits, please visit: or for more detailed information, please visit: