Associate Scientist or Scientist - Yen Lab/TGEn Group
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Summary
We are seeking an outstanding, highly motivated, and creative Scientist to join Dr. Jonathan Yen's lab and the Therapeutic Genome Engineering (TGEn) group. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinical researchers helping to advance genome editing strategies for treating sickle cell disease to a Phase 1 clinical trial.
Job description
Job Responsibilities
- Perform studies to develop genome editing strategies for human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC).
- Design and execute IND-enabling experiments to characterize the pharmacology of a genome-edited human hematopoietic stem cell product to treat sickle cell disease.
- Characterize the efficacy, safety, and potency of the HSC cellular drug product in in vitro and xenotransplantation assays.
- Multicolor flow cytometry and FACS to sort hematopoietic populations of relevance.
- Develop experimental methods including RT-PCR, ddPCR, next-generation sequencing, and single-cell sequencing.
- Perform NGS library preparation and analysis of editing outcomes, on-target and off-target.
- Evaluate scale-up and close-system processes to ensure reproducibility of the drug product.
- Conduct exploratory research on developing novel in-vitro and in-vivo delivery strategies.
- Interact and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance the program.
- Establish tracking and trending analyses of process development and pilot runs.
- Draft documentation (protocols, batch records, reports) to standardize and transfer process to GMP facility.
Minimum Education and/or Training
Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific area is required. Master's or PhD degree in a relevant scientific area is highly preferred.
Associate Scientist Minimum Experience
- 7+ years of research experience is required
- 5+ years of research experience is required with a Master's degree
- 2+ years of research experience is required with a PhD
- Experience leading and supporting research experiments preferred
- Some experience leading lab and scientific project coordination, maintenance, and other research support activities preferred
- Experience in guiding and training other laboratory personnel preferred
Scientist Minimum Experience
- Eight (8) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a Bachelor's degree.
- Six (6) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a Master's degree.
- Three (3) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a PhD.
- Experience leading and supporting research experiments preferred.
- Some experience leading lab and scientific project coordination, maintenance, and other research support activities preferred.
- Experience in guiding and training other laboratory personnel preferred.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific area is required
- Master's or PhD degree in a relevant scientific area is highly preferred
- 7+ years of research experience is required (Associate Scientist, Bachelor's)
- 5+ years of research experience is required with a Master's degree (Associate Scientist)
- 2+ years of research experience is required with a PhD (Associate Scientist)
- Eight (8) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a Bachelor's degree (Scientist)
- Six (6) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a Master's degree (Scientist)
- Three (3) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a PhD (Scientist)
- Experience leading and supporting research experiments preferred
- Some experience leading lab and scientific project coordination, maintenance, and other research support activities preferred
- Experience in guiding and training other laboratory personnel preferred
- Expertise in lipid nanoparticle-based delivery technologies preferred
Benefits
- Relocation assistance
Company overview
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a world-renowned pediatric research and treatment institution headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, dedicated to advancing cures for childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas, it stands as the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted exclusively to children. The hospital operates on a unique funding model where families never receive bills for treatment, travel, housing, or food, with costs exceeding $2 billion annually primarily supported by donations through its fundraising organization ALSAC. St. Jude treats approximately 8,600 patients each year from all 50 states and around the world, with a focus on acute lymphoblastic leukemia, brain tumors, sickle cell disease, and infectious diseases. The institution employs over 7,000 staff members and maintains eight affiliate clinics across the United States. Through its St. Jude Global initiative, the hospital shares research and treatment protocols internationally, partnering with more than 350 institutions in over 90 countries. St. Jude has been instrumental in increasing childhood cancer survival rates from 20% in 1962 to over 80% today, while maintaining a robust research program that includes gene therapy, bone marrow transplantation, and precision medicine approaches.