Position Description for
RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Botanisol LLC
Position Summary:
A six-month, full-time Research Scientist position on the WSU campus is available in an
exciting new startup company, Botanisol LLC, that is moving a promising new drug lead toward
clinical trials. The Research Scientist will oversee and perform laboratory experiments to isolate
compounds responsible for specific and potent biological activities of plant extracts and then
further characterize these compounds. The Research Scientist will be assisted in these duties by a
Laboratory Technician (also employed by Botanisol), and will coordinate bioassay analysis of
active fractions and compounds with a collaborating academic lab. The Research Scientist and
Laboratory Technician will use supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography-based
approaches to isolate and purify the active components from plant tissue samples that have
potent biological activity. The Research Scientist will then use high resolution mass
spectrometry-based techniques to characterize and identify specific active components in the
extracts generated by the optimized extraction procedures. The Research Scientist will report to
Dr. David R. Gang, Botanisol’s CSO.
This is a Project position expected to commence on October 5, 2015 and continue for a
period of no more than six months. The position is funded through a Federal grant so the term
and compensation of the position must fit within the limits of the specific grant.
Employment for this position is with a commercial company, Botanisol LLC.
Consequently, work scheduling will be determined by the needs of the company and project and
will not necessarily follow the academic calendar.
All work performed under this contract is confidential. All work performed under this
employment arrangement and within the laboratory used for the project is the sole property of
Botanisol LLC. Any patents or intellectual property resulting from the Research Scientist’s work
is the sole property of Botanisol LLC. The Research Scientist will not publish or otherwise
disclose any results or substantial aspects of his/her work on the project without the prior written
approval of Botanisol LLC.
This is a project position, funded by a Phase I STTR grant and is expected to end on
3/1/2016. Renewal is dependent on satisfactory performance, the need for extension to complete
the project, and/or if additional funding is secured to extend the appointment. At the present
time, sufficient funding is not available to extend the project.
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Establish specialized research protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs),
including extraction of active compounds from plant tissues, optimization of such
procedures, and application of those procedures to extract and purify large quantities of
active components from plant tissues. Perform such procedures and prepare samples for
high resolution mass spectrometric analysis and for bioassays.
 Use high resolution mass spectrometry data to characterize and identify components
within extracts from plant tissues.




Work with partnering academic lab personnel to interpret combined chromatographic,
mass spectrometric and bioassay datasets to identify compounds responsible for specific
activities.
Oversee the extraction and purification of large quantities of biologically active
compounds from plant tissues.
Work closely with and advise Dr. Gang concerning recommended changes or
improvements in research protocols or techniques determined in the course of the planned
research project.
Thoroughly and professionally document all techniques and research protocols used and
results obtained.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in natural products chemistry, medicinal chemistry or analytical chemistry. Excellent oral
and written communication skills. Ability to work well as a member of an integrated research
team.
Preferred Qualifications:
Post-doctoral research experience in natural products chemistry, medicinal chemistry or
analytical chemistry, or related field. Documented expertise (as demonstrated by relevant
publications) in the following areas:
 Proficiency in chemical extraction and isolation from plant tissues.
 Proficiency in chromatography; hands-on experience with supercritical fluid
extraction/chromatography is strongly preferred.
 Proficiency in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry methods.
 Proficiency in using mass spectrometry to identify compounds in complex mixtures.
 Experience managing data acquisition and analysis for experiments using mass
spectrometry.
To apply, please submit (email preferred) a cover letter, CV and the names and contact
information for three references to:
David R. Gang, PhD
Chief Science Officer
Botanisol LLC
32531 N Scottsdale Ave, Suite 105
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
520-465-7229
[email protected]
Review of application materials will begin immediately.
Note: Research will be carried out in research lab space in Pullman, WA.
Botanisol, LLC is an EEO Employer