Postdoctoral Research Associate – Gibson (Cell & Molecular Biology) and Skiniotis (Structural Biology) Laboratories

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

67d • Onsite

About The Position

The Gibson and Skiniotis laboratories seek a postdoctoral scholar to lead a joint research effort investigating fundamental mechanisms of higher-order genome organization. The fellow will use cryo-electron microscopy and tomography (cryo-EM/cryo-ET) to analyze chromatin structures in cells and in condensed chromatin assemblies produced in vitro.

The position provides co-mentorship and full membership in both laboratories, including joint lab meetings, shared project planning, and co-authored publications. In the Gibson laboratory, the fellow will study how phase transitions shape higher-order genome structure and affect human disease, gaining expertise in nucleosome-array reconstitution, chromatin condensate formation and characterization, and thermodynamic frameworks linking molecular sequence to genome-scale organization. In the Skiniotis laboratory, the fellow will train in single-particle cryo-EM and in situ cryo-ET, from sample vitrification to high-resolution reconstruction and subtomogram averaging.

The fellow will work with the Center of Excellence for Structural Cell Biology and the St. Jude Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Tomography Center. Available resources include high-end transmission electron microscopes, cryo-ET and cryo-FIB workflows, correlative cryo-light/electron microscopy, sample-preparation infrastructure, GPU workstations and computing clusters, and staff scientists who provide training and consultation. Instrument access and expenses are covered institutionally.

This full-time, weekday-day position is based in Memphis, Tennessee, and is scheduled for 40 hours per week. St. Jude provides postdoctoral support, including a salary starting at $72,529 and increasing with experience, and fellows are not required to bring their own funding. The role offers training across chromatin biochemistry, condensate biophysics, and cellular structural biology to prepare the fellow for future independent research.

Requirements

• PhD or MD/PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, cell biology, or a related field, completed or expected at the time of appointment.
• Research productivity demonstrated by first-author publication(s) or preprint(s).
• Hands-on experience in at least one of the following: cryo-EM/cryo-ET, chromatin or nucleic acid–protein biochemistry, or quantitative biophysics of macromolecular assemblies.
• Passion for rigorous, mechanism-driven science and a thoughtful, collaborative mindset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with nucleosome or chromatin reconstitution.
• Experience with cryo-EM/cryo-ET data processing, such as RELION, cryoSPARC, IMOD, or Warp/M.
• Familiarity with scripting or programming for image analysis, such as Python, MATLAB, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to reconstitute and characterize condensed chromatin assemblies in vitro.
• Prepare cryo-EM and cryo-ET specimens of chromatin assemblies and cells, including cryo-FIB milling for in situ tomography.
• Collect, process, and interpret single-particle cryo-EM and cryo-ET/subtomogram averaging datasets.
• Integrate structural findings with biochemical, biophysical, and cellular data to develop mechanistic models of genome organization.
• Present research at national and international meetings and prepare high-impact publications.
• Contribute to the collaborative scientific life of both laboratories and mentor junior trainees.

Benefits

• Competitive salary starting at $72,529 and increasing with experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance at $0 premium for individual coverage.
• 401(b) retirement plan with a 7% institutional contribution.
• $2,500 annual professional development allowance for meetings, training, and society memberships.
• Relocation assistance of $8,000 for moves over 100 miles.
• Individualized career development through the SMaRT Plan, the CAP career advancement fellowship, teaching opportunities at partner institutions, and dedicated career advising.
• On-campus childcare access through Bright Horizons.
• Free state-of-the-art fitness center.
• Generous paid time off.
• Provided laptop.
• Institutionally covered instrument access and expenses.
• Institutional fellowships and social programming for the postdoctoral community.

What This Job Offers

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