Associate Scientist - Targeted Protein Degradation and Fetal Hemoglobin Induction

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital•Memphis, TN

2d•$65,520 - $114,400

About The Position

The Associate Scientist performs moderately complex research tasks and independently carries out project work within broad guidelines, subject to periodic review. In the laboratory of Dr. Mitchell Weiss at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the position supports a multidisciplinary program developing therapeutic strategies for sickle cell disease through targeted protein degradation (TPD). The research builds on cereblon-based molecular glues that induce fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and seeks to identify additional erythroid-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases. The goal is to develop PROTACs and molecular glue degraders that selectively eliminate negative regulators of HbF expression. The successful candidate will discover, characterize, and help preclinically evaluate targeted degraders using immortalized erythroid cell lines, primary human erythroblasts, and sickle cell disease mouse models. The role offers work at the intersection of erythroid biology, chemical biology, protein degradation, and translational therapeutics. The Associate Scientist will collaborate with Senior Scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and teams of medicinal chemists, molecular and cellular biologists, biochemists, and structural biologists. The position also contributes to laboratory techniques and protocols, data analysis and communication, scientific publications and presentations, staff training, and laboratory operations. The minimum education is a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific area. Required research experience varies by degree: 7 or more years, 5 or more years with a master's degree, or 2 or more years with a PhD.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific area.
Minimum research experience depends on education: 7 or more years required; 5 or more years with a master’s degree; or 2 or more years with a PhD.
Strong experimental background in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, or cellular assays.
Demonstrated ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze experiments.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and scientific problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.
Proven performance in an earlier or comparable role.

Nice To Haves

PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology, or a related field.
Experience with immunoblotting, flow cytometry, gene expression analysis, and protein characterization.
Experience with high-throughput experimentation.
Experience in erythroid biology, hemoglobin regulation, hematopoiesis, or sickle cell disease research.
Familiarity with targeted protein degradation technologies, including PROTACs, molecular glues, E3 ubiquitin ligases, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Experience with primary human erythroid or hematopoietic cell cultures.
Experience with preclinical mouse models or translational drug discovery research.
Experience leading and supporting research experiments.
Experience leading laboratory and scientific project coordination, maintenance, and other research support activities.
Experience guiding and training other laboratory personnel.
Strong scientific curiosity, team spirit, good communication skills, and willingness to learn new techniques.

Responsibilities

Independently design, perform, optimize, and troubleshoot experiments evaluating targeted protein degradation strategies for HbF induction.
Characterize the activity, selectivity, and mechanisms of action of PROTACs and molecular glue degraders targeting negative regulators of HbF expression.
Evaluate candidate compounds in immortalized erythroid cell lines and primary human erythroblast cultures using molecular, cellular, and biochemical assays.
Investigate target protein degradation, HbF induction, erythroid differentiation, and relevant cellular responses.
Contribute to preclinical evaluation of promising compounds in sickle cell disease mouse models.
Develop and optimize new or modified laboratory techniques and experimental protocols.
Collect, process, organize, analyze, and interpret experimental data, and communicate findings to the research team.
Collaborate with medicinal chemists, cell and molecular biologists, biochemists, and structural biologists to support compound development and mechanistic characterization.
Assist in preparing scientific manuscripts, posters, presentations, standard operating procedures, and research reports.
Maintain current knowledge of relevant scientific advances, methodologies, and technologies.
Provide guidance and technical training to less-experienced laboratory personnel and collaborators as appropriate.
Support laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, calibration, inventory management, and ordering supplies.
Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and institutional research objectives.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance.