Early Career Investigators in Natural Products Research

Journal of Natural Products is excited to present a Collection highlighting work in natural products research published during 2025 by early career investigators.For scientists working in natural products, the early career period is both intellectually exciting and professionally demanding.Investigators may be expected to establish independent research programs while grappling with complex experimental systems, advancing sophisticated analytical approaches, and embracing the uncertainty inherent to discovery driven research.At the same time, they are often building laboratories from the ground up, mentoring other scientists, securing external funding, and balancing teaching and service obligations.This profile series highlights work by authors in the early stages of their careers.Early in 2026, all corresponding authors of J. Nat.Prod.articles published in 2025 were contacted and invited to submit a profile to be included in this Collection if meeting the early career criteria (no more than 12 years from receipt of Ph.D. degree (exclusions granted for official leaves of absence) and within 10 years of the commencement of an independent professional position).( 1)The profiles of twenty-one early career authors from many different countries and continents are included in this year's Collection.Researchers from academia, industry, and government are all represented.Profiled investigators were asked to provide a link to their 2025 J. Nat.Prod.publication and invited to submit a brief statement about their experiences in natural products research.Through these statements, the investigators could share their perspective on topics such as succeeding in their careers, lessons learned through their journey, the importance of community support, and more.We thank these individuals for taking time to share their stories, which we believe will inspire other researchers just beginning their independent careers, not only in the field of natural products research, but in the wider chemical and biological sciences.These statements are a valuable part of the Collection, and all are available to read below.The work presented in this Collection demonstrates the remarkable impact early career investigators are already having on the field.Their research reflects ambition, innovation, and a willingness to pursue challenging questions that can reshape natural products science and its applications to human health, sustainability, and chemical biology.We invite readers to explore these challenges and achievements by reading