Cell Assay Senior Scientist - Blue Sky Kinases

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

2d • $104,000 - $186,160 • Onsite

About The Position

The Cell Assay Senior Scientist is part of the Blue Sky Initiative “Seeing the Invisible in Protein Kinases” at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. As a member of the Cell-Based Assays team, the scientist uses molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell culture skills to translate insights about kinase structure and regulation in vitro into functional effects in cells. The role also supports cell-based analysis of candidate kinase inhibitors using high-, medium-, and low-throughput platforms.

The work includes studying multiple kinases, conducting background research, and optimizing diverse cell-based assays using different cell lines or primary cells. These studies validate structural findings and can reveal new kinase-mediated biology or mechanisms of kinase regulation. The initiative is an interdisciplinary project in the Department of Structural Biology, supported by $50 million in institutional funding. It uses ultra-high-field NMR, cryoEM, X-ray crystallography, data science, and computational approaches to characterize the conformational landscape of the human kinome and investigate kinase function, disease-associated mutations, and therapeutic opportunities.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific area. Required relevant experience depends on degree: five years with a PhD, eight years with a master’s degree, or ten years with a bachelor’s degree. Mouse-model experience is preferred but not essential. The stated salary range is $104,000–$186,160 per year.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific area is required.
• Five years of relevant work experience with a PhD, eight years with a master’s degree, or ten years with a bachelor’s degree is required.
• Experience analyzing protein kinases and phosphorylation-dependent signaling events or pathways.
• Expertise culturing a variety of cell types, such as cancer cell lines, primary cells, mouse embryo fibroblasts, inducible human pluripotent cells, immune cells, neuronal cells, and muscle cells.
• Expertise in multiple methods for exogenous protein expression.
• Proficiency presenting experimental design and results using PowerPoint or similar software.
• Technical capabilities include cloning, PCR, and qRT-PCR; sterile technique; cell transfection, transduction, or infection; quantitative immunoassays; immunoprecipitation and Western blotting; protein-protein interaction analysis; flow cytometry and FACS; reporter gene assays; phenotypic assays; microscopy; and cellular fractionation.
• Creative and results-driven, with strong critical thinking and the ability to learn quickly.
• Hardworking, well-organized, flexible, and capable of multitasking efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative and efficient team member who works with people of diverse backgrounds and opinions.
• Ability to prioritize work and complete assignments promptly.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with mouse models is preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Research kinase-mediated signaling pathways, kinase targets or kinase-dependent phosphorylation events, and their cellular outcomes for assigned kinase projects.
• Identify appropriate cellular assays and cell types for structure-guided analysis of kinase signaling output and cellular phenotypes related to perturbations in kinase regulation or function.
• Develop strategies and plans for cell-based assays, including evaluation of protein phosphorylation, protein interaction, protein localization, RNA abundance by qRT-PCR, protein ubiquitination, and protein abundance.
• Develop strategies and plans for cell-based phenotypic assays, including viability, apoptosis, autophagy, migration, or differentiation assays.
• Optimize and troubleshoot cell-based assays.
• Perform statistical analysis using graphing software or R scripts.
• Interpret, analyze, and communicate cell-based assay results within the Cell-Based Assays team and with collaborators on kinase projects.

Benefits

• Generous paid time-off.
• On-campus conveniences.
• Work-life balance.
• Opportunities for learning and growth.
• World-class facilities, state-of-the-art technologies, extraordinary support, and a collaborative bench-to-bedside environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior