Postdoctoral Research Fellow — Clonal Evolution and Genome Engineering in Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Disorders
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Summary
We are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to study the mechanisms of clonal evolution and leukemic transformation in inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, with a focus on Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS). The lab studies how somatic adaptation shapes disease trajectory, why certain clones are compensatory while others are pre-malignant, and whether therapeutic genome editing can shift that balance. Projects span primary patient samples, iPSC cell line models, CRISPR/base-editing screens, and single-cell genomics, with direct access to a clinical bone marrow failure program.
Job description
Qualifications
Required
- PhD, MD, or MD/PhD (or expected within six months) in hematology, cancer biology, genetics, genome engineering, immunology, or a related field
- Track record of productivity, including at least one first-author publication (published or in press)
- Hands-on experience and expertise with molecular and cell biology methods: mammalian cell culture, cloning, qPCR, flow cytometry, Western blot, single cell RNA sequencing, basic biochemistry
- Comfort with quantitative data analysis and clear scientific writing
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
Preferred
- CRISPR/Cas9 or base/prime editing experience, including guide design and editing outcome analysis
- Primary hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell culture, CD34+ work, or prior work with xenotransplantation/murine models
- NGS analysis experience (scRNA-seq, targeted error-corrected sequencing, WES/WGS) and fluency in R or Python
Requirements
- PhD, MD, or MD/PhD (or expected within six months) in hematology, cancer biology, genetics, genome engineering, immunology, or a related field
- Track record of productivity, including at least one first-author publication (published or in press)
- Hands-on experience and expertise with molecular and cell biology methods: mammalian cell culture, cloning, qPCR, flow cytometry, Western blot, single cell RNA sequencing, basic biochemistry
- Comfort with quantitative data analysis and clear scientific writing
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- CRISPR/Cas9 or base/prime editing experience, including guide design and editing outcome analysis
- Primary hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell culture, CD34+ work, or prior work with xenotransplantation/murine models
- NGS analysis experience (scRNA-seq, targeted error-corrected sequencing, WES/WGS) and fluency in R or Python
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits
- Relocation assistance
- Professional development allowance
- Grant writing workshops
- Individual development plans
- Mentoring opportunities
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.