Part Time - Senior Research Scientist

About the role

The successful incumbent will perform scientific and analytical activities in support of the Lipidomics Shared Resource and associated collaborative research projects under the general direction of the Faculty Director. The incumbent will support lipidomic analyses for investigators, including biological sample preparation, lipid extraction, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, analytical method development and optimization, data processing and interpretation, and preparation of reports for Shared Resource users. The incumbent will also contribute to development and implementation of new analytical approaches and collaborative research projects involving lipid metabolism, cancer biology, and related areas.

Responsibilities

• Perform lipid extraction and sample preparation from biological specimens, including cultured cells, tissues, plasma, serum, and other biological samples for lipidomic analysis.
• Prepare analytical standards, quality-control samples, mobile phases, reagents, and other materials required for lipidomic analyses.
• Operate LC-MS instrumentation for targeted quantitative lipidomic analyses according to established methods and standard operating procedures.
• Perform routine analytical runs, monitor instrument and assay performance, evaluate quality-control results, and identify potential analytical or sample-related problems.
• Develop, optimize, troubleshoot, and implement LC-MS methods for quantitative analysis of lipids and lipid metabolites.
• Assist in the development and expansion of analytical methods and lipidomic panels, including assays for sphingolipids and other lipid classes relevant to Shared Resource and collaborative research projects.
• Process, analyze, and review LC-MS data using appropriate analytical software and established quality-control criteria.
• Perform quantitative analysis and interpretation of lipidomic datasets generated for Shared Resource users and collaborative investigators.
• Prepare clear and accurate analytical reports summarizing experimental methods, quality-control results, quantitative data, and other relevant findings for investigators using the Shared Resource.
• Communicate with investigators regarding sample preparation requirements, experimental design, analytical approaches, data quality, interpretation of results, and technical limitations of lipidomic studies.
• Maintain accurate records of samples, analytical runs, methods, instrument performance, quality-control results, and data generated by the Shared Resource.
• Develop, maintain, and update standard operating procedures and quality-control practices for lipid extraction, LC-MS analysis, data processing, and related analytical workflows.
• Troubleshoot analytical procedures and assist with optimization and maintenance of laboratory workflows and LC-MS methods.
• Assist with evaluation and implementation of new analytical technologies, methods, and approaches relevant to lipidomic analysis.
• Participate in collaborative research projects involving lipid metabolism, sphingolipid biology, cancer metabolism, and related areas.
• Conduct scientific literature reviews relevant to analytical method development, lipid metabolism, and interpretation of experimental data.
• Contribute to preparation of figures, scientific reports, manuscripts, presentations, grant applications, and other research materials resulting from Shared Resource and collaborative studies.
• Provide technical guidance and training to students, research staff, and investigators regarding sample preparation, analytical methods, and interpretation of lipidomic data as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with investigators, research scientists, laboratory personnel, Shared Resource staff, and other institutional research cores.
• Perform related duties as assigned by the Faculty Director.

Requirements

• PhD (or foreign equivalent) in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific field.
• Five (5) or more years of full-time postdoctoral or equivalent research experience, including demonstrated research experience in both an academic biomedical research environment and a biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry environment.
• Research experience in biochemistry, enzymology, analytical or bioanalytical chemistry, protein science, molecular biology, cell biology, or related areas.
• Experience with biochemical assay development, quantitative experimental methods, chromatography, and analysis and interpretation of scientific data.
• Demonstrated experience designing, optimizing, troubleshooting, and executing experimental methods and research workflows.
• Experience evaluating experimental quality and reproducibility and maintaining accurate scientific records.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific results effectively and to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in cancer biology, cancer metabolism, lipid metabolism, or translational biomedical research.
• Experience in recombinant protein expression, protein purification, enzyme characterization, and development of biochemical or bioanalytical assays.
• Experience with quantitative analysis of biological samples and complex scientific datasets.
• Experience developing and implementing standard operating procedures, quality-control criteria, and reproducible research workflows.
• Experience contributing to multidisciplinary research programs involving biochemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, or biomarker development.
• Experience preparing scientific reports, manuscripts, presentations, and grant-related materials.
• Experience providing technical guidance, training, or mentorship to research personnel.

Pay

Salary: $100K at full FTE ($50K at 0.50 FTE).

Schedule

Part-time (0.50 FTE).

Primary location: Stony Brook, NY. Department: Cancer Center. Appointment type: Regular, Salary Grade E89. Posting dates: Oct 20, 2026 – Nov 2, 2026. Employer: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York at Stony Brook.