Postdoctoral Research Associate - Developmental Neurobiology
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Summary
This project investigates how transcriptional regulatory networks establish and maintain neural identity during brain development by activating appropriate neural gene programs while repressing alternative lineage programs. The work will combine mouse genetic models with genome-wide profiling and mechanistic assays to define how key transcriptional regulators engage cofactors and select cis-regulatory elements to control gene expression in neural progenitors. Findings are expected to reveal fundamental principles of cell fate specification and shed light on lineage infidelity during diseases such as cancer.
Job description
Project Description
This project investigates how transcriptional regulatory networks establish and maintain neural identity during brain development by activating appropriate neural gene programs while repressing alternative lineage programs. The work will combine mouse genetic models with genome-wide profiling and mechanistic assays to define how key transcriptional regulators engage cofactors and select cis-regulatory elements to control gene expression in neural progenitors. Findings are expected to reveal fundamental principles of cell fate specification and shed light on lineage infidelity during diseases such as cancer.
Position Responsibilities
- Perform and troubleshoot genomics assays (e.g., bulk RNA-seq, CUT&RUN, ATAC-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq), and integrate datasets to identify regulatory mechanisms and key targets.
- Conduct in vivo and ex vivo functional studies, including in vivo perturbation experiments (viral delivery and electroporation) and quantitative histological and molecular phenotyping.
- Develop and apply in vitro mechanistic assays to study transcription factor (TF) interactions and TF–DNA interactions.
- Maintain rigorous documentation and reproducible analysis workflows.
- Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and grant-related writing.
- Participate in team science within the lab and with collaborators (e.g., computational biology/bioinformatics and gene regulation expertise).
Minimum Education and/or Training
PhD in biology or related fields
Special Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Required
- Hands-on experience with standard molecular biology techniques (e.g., molecular cloning).
- Ability to perform experiments consistently and rigorously.
- Ability to design experiments rationally and analyze data critically.
- Clear scientific communication (writing, figure preparation, and presentations) and strong collaboration skills.
Preferred
- Strong background in developmental neurobiology and/or gene regulation.
- Experience in biochemistry and molecular biology skills (protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions).
- Computational analysis of sequencing data (R/Python or established pipelines).
- Strong publication record.
Requirements
- PhD in biology or related fields
- Hands-on experience with standard molecular biology techniques (e.g., molecular cloning)
- Ability to perform experiments consistently and rigorously
- Ability to design experiments rationally and analyze data critically
- Clear scientific communication (writing, figure preparation, and presentations)
- Strong collaboration skills
- Strong background in developmental neurobiology and/or gene regulation (preferred)
- Experience in biochemistry and molecular biology skills (protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions) (preferred)
- Computational analysis of sequencing data (R/Python or established pipelines) (preferred)
- Strong publication record (preferred)
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits
- Relocation assistance
- Professional development allowance
- Mentoring
- Grant writing workshops
- Individual development plans
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.