Scientist/Associate Scientist - Personalized Genomic Therapeutics

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is excited to announce an opening for a Scientist/Associate Scientist in the Preclinical Design and Development Core (PDD Core). This pivotal role is part of the Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, where we strive to develop personalized genomic therapies for children suffering from catastrophic diseases, particularly those affecting the developing nervous system. The core leads the preclinical operations under St Jude's new Blue-sky program - GEMINI (Genomic Medicine Initiative) to develop therapeutics for rare neurodegenerative disorders.

As a Scientist/Associate Scientist in the Preclinical Design and Development Core ( PPD Core), you will engage in groundbreaking research under St. Jude's innovative GEMINI (Genomic Medicine Initiative) program, focusing on therapeutics for rare neurodegenerative disorders. Your contributions will include establishing patient models, designing therapeutic approaches, identifying lead therapeutic molecules, and participating in the therapeutic approval process.

The ideal candidate will possess expertise in RNA therapeutics and genomics and hands-on experience with high-throughput screening techniques. Join us in this collaborative, bench-to-bedside effort, where your work can directly impact the lives of children facing neurodegenerative diseases. If you are ready to make a difference and advance your career in a world-class research environment, apply today!

In this role you will lead projects that include:

• Develop personalized genomic and oligonucleotide therapeutics for cases enrolled in the GEMINI program.

• Utilize patient-derived cellular platforms to screen candidate molecules and identify the lead candidates.

• Develop laboratory automation workflows to perform scalable oligonucleotide screening.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Expertise in RNA therapeutics and genomics.

• Hands-on experience with high-throughput screening techniques.

• A strong commitment to advancing pediatric healthcare through innovative research

What will you gain in this role:

• Being a key contributor to the development of personalized therapeutics from patient mutation identification to lead oligonucleotide molecule discovery for clinical treatment.

• Develop expertise in ASO therapeutics, RNA biology, scalable drug screening, patient-derived cellular platforms, high-throughput genomics, liquid handling automation.

The job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and execute testing of candidate drug molecules in patient-derived platforms (fibroblasts and iPSC-derived neurons) in IND-enabling experiments.

• Characterize the functional impact of lead candidates in patient-derived cellular models.

• Exploratory investigations of novel genomic therapeutic modalities.

• Contribute to the development of individualized therapeutics involving various aspects of preclinical processes, and general operations.

• Competency with automated liquid handlers and robotics for high throughput cell-based assays and qPCR.

• Maintain electronic laboratory notebook and draft documentation (protocols, batch records, reports) to enable standardized patient preclinical process.

• Demonstrate flexibility/agility and engagement in a patient-centric evolving scientific environment.

• Clearly communicate with internal and external stakeholders (including strategy groups, and industry partners). Represent the lab to present results across various internal and external forums.

• Support departmental and institutional goals by performing additional relevant duties as needed.

The World's Brightest Minds Always Innovate

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, we know what can be achieved when the brightest scientific minds face the fewest barriers. That's why we provide world-class facilities, state-of-the-art technologies, extraordinary support, and a collaborative, bench-to-bedside environment. Quite simply, at St. Jude, we encourage you to dream big and stop at nothing when it comes to finding cures and saving children.

Minimum Education and/or Training for the position include:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific area is required.

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

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

• Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.

Compensation

Explore our exceptional benefits!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has a diverse, global patient population and workforce, built on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our founder Danny Thomas envisioned a hospital that would treat children of the world-regardless of race, religion or a family's ability to pay. Learn more about our history and commitment.

Today, we continue the mission to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. As we accelerate this progress globally, we believe our legacy of diversity, equity and inclusion is foundational to success. With the commitment of leaders at all levels of the organization, we strive to ensure the St. Jude culture, leadership approaches and talent processes are equitable and culturally responsive. View our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report to learn about the hospital's roots in diversity, equity and inclusion, where we are today and our aspirations for an even better future.

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