Manager-Scientific Research: Biomedical Systems Core

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

5d•$94,640 - $169,520•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Imaging Sciences at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is recruiting a Manager of Scientific Research to establish and lead a new Biomedical Systems Core. The core will provide expertise, infrastructure, and operational support for biomedical sample preparation used in in vivo, tissue-based, and cellular imaging research. It will support researchers developing novel biomedical imaging technologies through training and assistance with specialized procedures and sample preparation methods that require rigorous reproducibility or extend beyond the expertise of individual research groups. The role is suited to a scientific professional experienced in leading research operations relating to comparative medicine or supporting in vivo, tissue-based, or cell-based research in an academic or research-intensive environment. The manager will bring experience in in vivo research support, protocol management, regulatory compliance, shared resource operations, and collaborative service delivery, partnering with faculty, laboratory personnel, institutional resources, external collaborators, and vendors. The manager will provide strategic and operational leadership by overseeing projects, processes, resources, and staffing, and by building technical capabilities that enable innovative imaging-based biomedical research. The role combines hands-on scientific collaboration with people leadership, resource planning, quality oversight, training, and development of consistent and repeatable research practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline is required.
At least 7 years of experience in a relevant technical field in industry or academia is required.
At least 5 years of experience in a relevant technical field is required for candidates with a master’s degree.
At least 2 years of experience in a relevant technical field is required for candidates with a Ph.D.
Proven performance in an earlier or comparable role.
Experience in in vivo research support, protocol management, regulatory compliance, shared resource operations, and collaborative service delivery.
Experience supporting in vivo, tissue-based, or cell-based research in an academic or research-intensive environment, or leading research operations relating to comparative medicine.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing at least 1–2 people.
Extensive experience leading projects and processes end to end, including resource planning and management, and communication and collaboration with internal cross-functional teams and external partners.
Experience leading and mentoring teams.

Responsibilities

Build and lead the Biomedical Systems Core, defining its initial scope, developing technical and operational workflows, and adapting services as departmental needs evolve.
Support departmental in vivo and imaging-related research, including study planning, feasibility assessment, model coordination, protocol development and maintenance, sample collection, documentation, and troubleshooting.
Work with Comparative Medicine to manage and oversee a dedicated in vivo satellite space and procedure suite.
Supervise and maintain an adjacent shared wet laboratory and tissue culture space, including scheduling, supplies, equipment readiness, maintenance, shared use, safety, and compliance.
Build and lead a team of 2–3 specialized staff to develop, optimize, and standardize research procedures, including surgical techniques, preparations for in vivo imaging, behavioral testing, tissue and specimen preparation, and basic cell culture methods.
Facilitate collaborations with institutional cores and shared resources to develop and support histology and immunohistochemistry, tissue clearing, tissue expansion, and other advanced sample preparation approaches.
Monitor emerging technologies and collaborate with external partners, consultants, and vendors to improve research projects, recommend and evaluate technologies, and support effective delivery and maintenance of services and resources.
Guide and monitor project execution to ensure timely and reliable delivery, including assisting with optimization, troubleshooting, and interpretation of results.
Establish and maintain practices for training, recordkeeping, protocol documentation, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in a shared research environment.
Build the core’s technical capabilities through direct participation, collaboration with institutional partners, and recruitment, supervision, coaching, and development of direct reports.
Set goals, provide feedback, support career development, and manage team performance to ensure consistent, high-quality scientific services and collaboration.
Assist with operational planning, resource allocation, and budget needs to support sustainable and responsive core services.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet departmental and institutional goals while maintaining regular and predictable attendance.