Post Doctoral Research Fellow

Job Summary/Basic Function:

Join the Nagarajan Laboratory as a Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate the molecular basis of

enzyme function and contribute to the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. This

postdoctoral position integrates protein biochemistry, microbiology, enzyme kinetics, chemical

and chemoenzymatic synthesis, small-molecule inhibitor screening, molecular docking, and

computational simulations to understand how bacteria communicate, acquire nutrients, and

cause disease-and to translate these mechanistic insights into new strategies for targeting

bacterial virulence.

This position will begin in Jan 2027, but an earlier or later start date is possible depending on

the applicant circumstance. This position will remain open until filled. Review of applications

will begin Sep 18th, 2026.

Department Overview:

The Post Doctoral Fellow will work with Dr. Rajesh Nagarajan and his research group in the

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The department supports 12 research active

tenure-track faculty, 6 teaching and research faculty, and 5 postdoctoral fellows. Faculty

members in the Chemistry Department conduct research in areas such as medicinal chemistry

& medical devices, protein biochemistry, enzymology, bioinorganic chemistry, computational

chemistry, prebiotic chemistry, molecular spectroscopy, and materials chemistry. Our faculty

members participate and mentor Ph.D. graduate students in transdisciplinary programs

including Materials Science and Engineering, Biomolecular Sciences, Biomedical Engineering

and Computing.

The Nagarajan Laboratory provides access to a broad range of instrumentation for biochemical

and biophysical studies, including a Bio-Rad NGC FPLC system, Thermo Scientific UltiMate

3000 HPLC, Agilent 1290 Biocompatible HPLC, Applied Photophysics SX20 stopped-flow

spectrometer, FluoroMax-4C spectrofluorometer, and BioTek multimode plate readers. The

post-doctoral fellow will also have access to shared instrumentation within the Department of

Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, and the Boise State

Biomolecular Research Center. These resources include Bruker maXis Q-TOF mass

spectrometry, Bruker 600 MHz NMR spectroscopy, MALDI mass spectrometry with imaging

capabilities, Agilent 6470 triple-quadrupole LC-MS systems, isothermal titration calorimetry,

advanced plate readers, and microscopy facilities.

Level Scope:

After earning a Ph.D., the next step in the academic or research career path is often a postdoc. A postdoc is a continuation of a researcher's training that enables them to further their professional development and start to transition from student to independent researcher. Postdocs also often take additional leadership or teaching responsibilities in their laboratory or department. These positions are usually two to three years and it is not unusual for a researcher to do more than one postdoc.

Essential Functions:

• Expertise and hands-on experience in protein purification.
• Experience in conducting enzyme assays and/or protein-binding assays.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated proficiency in scientific writing skills such as preparation of manuscripts.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to becoming an independent scientist.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Assist in training and supervising students and other research personnel in the PI's

laboratory.

• Maintain accurate and thorough documentation of research data in accordance with

applicable data-management protocols.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
• Strong commitment to research integrity, laboratory safety, and ethical conduct.
• Scientific writing skills demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to acquire accurate, reproducible data.
• Excellent project and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and mentoring skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a minimum of a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in enzymology and mechanism of action studies.
• Experience handling microbes and bioassays.
• Experience in Schrodinger molecular docking, simulation and small molecule drug

discovery packages.

• Experience in small molecule synthesis.
• Design and synthesis of small-molecule chemical probes.
• Experience working with acyl carrier proteins or lipid biosynthesis pathways is a plus.

Physical Demands:

This position is generally in a normal indoor office setting with minimal noise levels and may involve bending, moving, lifting, and carrying materials that weigh up to 15 pounds.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary range is $55,057.60 to $60,000 annually and is commensurate with experience. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 12 paid holidays AND the University is closed between Christmas and New Year''s (requires use of 3 vacation days)
• Between 12-24 annual paid vacation days for full-time Professional and Classified staff depending on position type and years of service
• 10.76% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
• 11.96% University contribution to your PERSI retirement fund (Classified employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
• See our full benefits page for more information!

Required Application Materials:

• Cover Letter stating your interest in this position with a brief overview of your background

and qualifications.

• Professional CV.
• Names and contact information for 3 professional references.

About Us:

Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We're a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

We're building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho's Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/