Postdoctoral Research Associate - Quantitative Microscopy and Live-Cell Chromatin Imaging

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

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Solecki Lab is seeking postdoctoral fellows to develop and apply advanced microscopy approaches to understand how chromatin-state transitions unfold as neurons mature and assemble into brain circuits. This position is ideal for an imaging-focused trainee interested in the intersection of live-cell microscopy, chromatin biology, quantitative image analysis, and developmental neuroscience. The central goal is to observe chromatin-state dynamics in real time in developing neurons, moving beyond indirect molecular endpoints. Postdoctoral fellows will focus on optimizing biosensor performance, microscopy acquisition, and quantitative analysis of epigenetic modifications, nuclear organization, and chromatin-state transitions during neuronal differentiation. Projects will integrate live-cell imaging, lattice light-sheet and/or super-resolution microscopy, neuronal differentiation systems, acute perturbations, and computational image analysis. The role involves contributing to the development of new experimental frameworks, including probes, assays, imaging strategies, perturbation workflows, and quantitative analysis pipelines. Successful fellows will define a major project, work closely with the PI and an interdisciplinary team, and aim for high-risk, high-reward experiments, first-author publications, and a distinctive scientific identity. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers an exceptional postdoctoral training environment with institutional support, cutting-edge imaging technologies, collaborative core laboratories, and a culture of scientific excellence, providing access to advanced microscopy platforms, data science expertise, and a collaborative environment focused on brain development.

Requirements

• PhD in cell biology, biophysics, gene regulation, neuroscience or related discipline
• Prior experience in live-cell imaging, advanced microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule imaging, lattice light-sheet microscopy, or imaging probe development.
• Interest in applying imaging-based approaches to chromatin organization, nuclear dynamics, epigenetic regulation, or neuronal differentiation.
• Familiarity with quantitative image analysis, including tools such as Python, MATLAB, R, Fiji/ImageJ, Imaris, or related platforms.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications
• Ability for cogent experimental preparation, validation, documentation, and troubleshooting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with segmentation, tracking, registration, time-series analysis, or automated image-processing workflows.
• Experience with fluorescent probes, biosensors, HaloTag/SNAP-tag systems, protein engineering, or live-cell assay development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply advanced microscopy approaches to understand chromatin-state transitions in living neurons.
• Optimize biosensor performance, microscopy acquisition, and quantitative analysis of epigenetic modifications, nuclear organization, and chromatin-state transitions during neuronal differentiation.
• Combine live-cell imaging, lattice light-sheet and/or super-resolution microscopy, neuronal differentiation systems, acute perturbations, and computational image analysis.
• Contribute to the development of probes, assays, imaging strategies, perturbation workflows, and quantitative analysis pipelines.
• Define a major project within the lab’s broader effort to understand chromatin-state dynamics, nuclear organization, neuronal maturation, and circuit assembly.
• Generate high-risk, high-reward experiments and first-author publications.

Benefits

• Exceptional postdoctoral training environment
• Outstanding institutional support
• Cutting-edge imaging technologies
• Collaborative core laboratories
• Culture of scientific excellence
• Access to advanced microscopy platforms
• Access to data science expertise
• Highly collaborative environment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree