Job Description
Salary: $45,000.00 - $70,000.00 Annually
Location : Missoula Mountain Campus
Job Type: Contract Professional Full-time
Job Number: [click to reveal phone number]202400496
Department: Center for Translational Medicine
Opening Date: 11/07/2025
Closing Date: 12/[click to reveal phone number]7/2025 11 :59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NO
Description The Formulations and Analytical Chemistry Group within the Center for Translational Medicine-Adjuvant Research Team (CTM-ART) at the University of Montana, Missoula, MT, seeks an energetic and skilled Analytical Chemist to join the lab of Dr. Walid Abdelwahab. This position offers an exciting opportunityto work within a well-funded, world-class research team with strong connections in both academia and industry, dedicated to advancing novel vaccines, adjuvants, and immunomodulators. Our research encompasses a broad spectrum of small- and large-molecule drug discovery and development, as well as protein and mRNA vaccine delivery systems, including lipid-based platforms (LNPs, liposomes, emulsions), inorganic nanoparticles, and bioconjugates. This opportunity provides a strong preparation for a career in academic or industry research.
We seek highly motivated candidates with solid knowledge in pharmaceutical analytical research and development activities, including method development, qualification, validation, technical transfer to contracted manufacture, documentation, stability testing, and PK/ADME studies for drug substance abuse products supporting pre-clinical development. The candidate will independently develop analytical methods (including but not limited to: HPLC (UV/CAD), MS, CE, CD, DSC, DLS, NMR) and conduct sample testing to support the development of small molecule immunomodulators, proteins, mRNA, mAbs, and conjugate vaccine formulations. Knowledge of vaccine delivery systems, nanoparticle technology, bioconjugation, and solid understanding of immunology and biological systems will be favorably considered.
Embark on an extraordinary journey and become a part of our team of creative and forward-thinking scientists in beautiful Montana. Nestled amidst stunning landscapes, our research environment offers not only groundbreaking scientific opportunities but also an unparalleled quality of life. Montana's breathtaking scenery and abundance of outdoor activities provide the perfect backdrop for cultivating fresh ideas and fostering innovation.
Minimum Qualifications - Good interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
- Ability to maintain a safe working and learning environment.
- Good documentation skills for recording research and ability to summarize results in concise memos , reports, and technical documents (e.g., validation reports, stability reports, development summaries).
- Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge in the following:
- Various modern analytical tools and technologies used in pharmaceutical analysis (e.g., MS,U/HPLC, GC, SEC, CE, DLS, DSC, CD, NMR, etc.).
- Practical analytical experience working with active pharmaceutical ingredients and relateddosage forms including liquids or lyophilized products.
- Analytical method transfer to CROs/CMOs.
- Experience with regulatory compliance and guidelines (e.g. FDA, ICH, and EMEA)
- Basic understanding of pharmaceutical formulations (nanoparticles and bioconjugates) andprocess development.
- Equipment maintenance and logs
- Chemical inventory maintenance
- Safety audits
Qualification breakdown by classification:
Associate Research Scientist - Bachelor of Science and greater than five (5) years of applicable lab experience or Master of Science and less than two (2) years lab experience.
- Designs and executes laboratory experiments with minimal supervision.
- Performs data management and analysis with minimum oversight.
- Demonstrates competence with multiple laboratory systems and methods.
Research Scientist
- Bachelor of Science and greater than ten (10) years of applicable lab experience or Master ofScience and greater than five (5) years lab experience.
- Designs and executes a wide range of experiments with minimal or no supervision.
- Performs complex data management and analysis with minimum oversight.
- Technical expert on one or more laboratory systems
Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Ph.D. (current or within 3 months for graduate students)
- Has theoretical, practical and exceptional technical competencies.
- Proven record and ability to produce research to a high publication standard.
- Designs and executes a wide range of experiments independently and proactively incorporates new technologies into practice with minimal or no supervision.
- Performs complex data management and analysis with minimum or no oversight.
- Assists in grant and manuscript writing with limited input from supervisor.
- Presents effectively to internal and external meetings.
- Writes specific technical sections of internal and external reports with limited supervision.
- Responsible for sharing relevant scientific information from internal and external meetings with appropriate colleagues.
- Established networking skills through interactions with scientists outside of primary project roles.
- Trains incoming and/or junior scientists on instrumentation and methods.
Preferred
- Use knowledge and experience to design, conduct and interpret data from experiments. Plan work based on specific objectives. Prioritize tasks. keep management/team informed of progress andadjust work accordingly. Display an understanding of project goals.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and recommend solutions for problems that arise during experimentation.
- Communicate technical information efficiently and accurately. Practice active listening skills to understand information being communicated by others. Deliver articulate presentations in a team environment. Write clearly and concisely. Maintain laboratory notebook according to team standards.
- Build trusted relationships within the team and across groups, fostering a sense of partnership and a strong network for enhanced collaboration.
Additional Information
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
Screening of applications will begin after the closing date; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. - Letter of Interest - addressing the stated required skills for the position
- Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
- Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information
The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM's non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans' or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.
Testing: Individual hiring departments withing the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.
Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Further, based on the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation and accompanying guidance from the USCIS and Dept. of State, the University may not be able to offer H-1B sponsorship. Particularly the University is not able to pay the $100,000 payment accompanying new H-1B visa petitions.
The University of Montana offers a wide variety of benefits. Please visit the for full information or contact our office if you have additional questions.
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Work experience placement, H1b, Work at office,