Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $53,500 - Midpoint: $66,900 (Salaried E8)
Department/Organization: 208301 - Translational Science and Medicine
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm; occasional evening/weekend hours as needed
Job Summary: The Postdoctoral Fellow provides for an internship and continuation of scholarly activity and research after achieving the PhD or other doctoral degree under the direction of a senior faculty member who serves as a mentor for the postdoctoral appointee.
Additional Department Summary: The University of Alabama, Department of Translational Science and Medicine within the College of Community Health Sciences (CCHS), has an exciting opportunity to join The Drug Research and Engineering for Advanced Medicine (DREAM) lab (https://sites.ua.edu/dreamlab/). Research in the DREAM lab centers on the intersection of polymers and therapeutics at the nano, micro, and macro scales. Their goal is to prevent, manage, and treat diseases through the innovative use of drugs, drug-like compounds, and their combinations. The team employs cutting-edge delivery strategies to enhance the efficacy and safety of both small and large molecules, thereby improving the risk-benefit ratio. Additionally, they explore new therapeutic indications and integrate innovative delivery technologies early in the drug discovery process to minimize attrition rates. A significant discovery from the lab includes the development of nanoparticles with surfaces that do not compete with endogenous ligands, such as transferrin. This innovation has the potential to improve drug targeting and efficacy while reducing side effects.
The DREAM lab seeks to provide customized solutions for different drugs, biological barriers, and diseases. (J. Am. Chem Soc. 139: 7203-7216, 2017; Science Advances 6: eabb3900, 2020; ACS Nano 17: 6857-6874, 2023; J. Control. Release 353: 621-633, 2023; Sci. Adv. 11: adw1358, 2025; iScience 29(7): 116594, 2026; Bioact. Mater. 62: 34-46, 2026; J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 393(2): 103794, 2026).
The group is seeking to recruit a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics:
- Technical experience in gene and protein expression analysis, and analytical skills. Experience working with tissues, cells and proteins is highly desirable.
- Expertise in microscopy and histology.
- Experience in small animal handling is highly desirable.
The Postdoctoral Fellow will work as a part of interdisciplinary team of researchers. Independently contributes to the planning and design of research and creative projects and performs supporting research and creative activities such as data analysis, monitoring outcomes, performing lab maintenance, and/or performing experiments and creating creative projects. Assists in both short-term and long-term planning and project goals, as well as in research and creative proposals and dissemination of project findings. Duties are specifically related to research activities, require an advanced level of knowledge in a field of science or learning, are predominantly intellectual and varied in character, and require consistent use of discretion and judgment.
Successful candidates will hold a Ph.D. degree in molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, biology, immunology, or closely related discipline and demonstrate a record of academic achievement in research.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Doctorate. Additional qualifications based on assignment.
Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, pharmaceutics, biology, immunology, or closely related discipline. Experience in immunology and molecular biology techniques, experimental therapeutics, and rodent models demonstrated through peer reviewed publications.
Candidates will need to have completed their Ph.D. or have submitted their thesis and are awaiting defense or final degree completion are also encouraged to apply. Applicants should upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae and include at least three references in the reference section of the application. Please upload additional documents to the “other documents” tab as needed. Cover letter should describe the focus of your research, including the questions you have identified, the results you have discovered, and the products of these efforts. Please outline the research directions you foresee pursuing in the DREAM lab (https://sites.ua.edu/dreamlab/).
Skills and Knowledge: Knowledge/expertise in molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics. Data analysis experience. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently as well as within a group setting.
Preferred Qualifications: Candidates with experience in more than one model and surgical procedures preferred.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
