Scientist- Abraham’s Lab
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Summary
The Abraham Laboratory in the Department of Computational Biology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking an innovative and collaborative Scientist to investigate how gene regulation and nuclear organization shape mammalian cell identity and contribute to disease, including pediatric cancers. This is a bench-based role for a hands-on experimental scientist passionate about uncovering mechanisms that control gene expression.
Job description
What You'll Do
- Coordinate multiple research projects, carry out bench laboratory experiments utilizing various techniques, and determine whether additional tools, methods, or data are required.
- Provide input regarding research protocols and experiments; set up protocols and assist in developing new laboratory techniques as required.
- Monitor the quality and integrity of recorded information and data.
- Identify, process, organize, interpret, review, and report relevant data.
- Draft sections of research manuscripts.
- Provide basic lab operation support including equipment maintenance and purchasing.
- Monitor inventory levels and order lab supplies as needed.
- Collaborate on project and analysis design under the guidance of multiple invested PIs.
- Set personal task-level priorities across multiple interconnected projects.
- Adhere to field and lab standards for data generation and analysis.
- Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
- Maintain regular and predictable attendance, especially in-person attendance at meetings and relevant presentations.
- Increase in independence and expertise over time.
Special Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Ability to rapidly learn, optimize, and implement new or advanced techniques as required by the evolving research direction.
- Experience leading or substantially driving complex research projects.
- Can apply knowledge/skills within own area to deliver tasks with limited guidance.
- Focus on setting high targets, following through actions, and achieving results.
- Ability to anticipate roadblocks and circumvent challenges.
- Very strong commitment to rigor and scientific integrity.
- Strong written and spoken English, presentation, and communication skills.
Essential Hands-On Experience
- Cell biology techniques such as cell culture, in-vitro cell assays, viral transduction, and tissue sample handling.
- At least one applied high-throughput sequencing assay (e.g., ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, ATAC-seq, Hi-C, RNA-seq, or related genomic technologies).
Preferred Experience
- Generating stable cell lines using non-viral and viral-based delivery systems.
- High-throughput functional genomic screening such as MPRA, immunofluorescence staining, FISH and confocal microscopy.
- Applicable regulations and lab protocols.
- Command line tools and experience running commercial pipelines using both cloud applications and computational clusters.
Minimum Education and/or Training
Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific areas such as cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline is required. PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree strongly preferred.
Scientist Minimum Experience
- Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required.
- Six (6) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree.
- Three (3) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific areas such as cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline is required.
- PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree strongly preferred.
- Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required.
- Six (6) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree.
- Three (3) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD.
- Essential hands-on experience with cell biology techniques such as cell culture, in-vitro cell assays, viral transduction, and tissue sample handling.
- Essential hands-on experience with at least one applied high-throughput sequencing assay (e.g., ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, ATAC-seq, Hi-C, RNA-seq, or related genomic technologies).
- Preferred experience with generating stable cell lines using non-viral and viral-based delivery systems.
- Preferred experience with high-throughput functional genomic screening such as MPRA, immunofluorescence staining, FISH and confocal microscopy.
- Preferred experience with applicable regulations and lab protocols.
- Optional but helpful experience with command line tools and experience running commercial pipelines using both cloud applications and computational clusters.
- Ability to rapidly learn, optimize, and implement new or advanced techniques as required by the evolving research direction.
- Experience leading or substantially driving complex research projects.
- Can apply knowledge/skills within own area to deliver tasks with limited guidance.
- Focus on setting high targets, following through actions, and achieving results.
- Ability to anticipate roadblocks and circumvent challenges.
- Very strong commitment to rigor and scientific integrity.
- Strong written and spoken English, presentation, and communication skills.
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.