Postdoctoral Research Associate - Geeleher Lab

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

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Geeleher Lab integrates computational/AI-based analysis of high-throughput genomics datasets with wet-bench experimental work to improve outcomes for children with cancer, focusing on neuroblastoma and other high-risk pediatric solid tumors. The lab has a strong publication record in high-impact journals and is supported by significant NIH and institutional funding. We are seeking a dry-lab postdoctoral scientist to lead computational and AI/ML-driven efforts to identify therapeutic target pairs from large-scale pediatric single-cell and spatial transcriptomic datasets. The goal is to develop AI and agent-based approaches to nominate cell-surface antigen combinations for novel therapeutic strategies, leveraging the unique biological characteristics of pediatric cancers. The integrated lab environment is well-positioned for experimental validation and preclinical development of prioritized candidates. The candidate will receive strong career support for academic or industry paths, including assistance with grant and fellowship writing for those pursuing academic faculty roles.

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree or equivalent in Computational Biology, Genetics/Genomics, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related field.
• Strong background in quantitative/computational biology or a related field.
• Very strong commitment to rigor and scientific integrity.
• Proficiency in a major programming language used for data analysis, such as R or Python.
• Ability to rapidly learn, optimize, and implement new or advanced techniques as required by the evolving research direction.
• Experience leading or substantially driving a complex research project (evidenced by e.g. a first author paper or similar tangible contribution).
• Scientific writing skills, including experience contributing to or drafting manuscripts.
• Strong written and spoken English, presentation, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with single-cell or spatial transcriptomic analysis is desirable.
• Experience with machine learning, LLMs, AI agents, multimodal data integration, or automated biological interpretation workflows is desirable but not required.
• Experience in pediatric cancer is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent computational/AI research projects focused on identifying and prioritizing candidate targets for emerging bispecific therapeutic strategies in pediatric cancers.
• Develop AI and agent-based workflows integrating large-scale single-cell, spatial transcriptomic, bulk genomic, functional-genomic, and pharmacologic datasets to nominate disease-selective vulnerabilities and target combinations.
• Nominate disease-selective cell-surface antigens and antigen combinations based on malignant-cell specificity, co-expression, spatial localization, normal-tissue expression, targetability, and therapeutic rationale.
• Work closely with wet-lab scientists to design follow-up validation studies and interpret experimental results in the context of large-scale datasets.
• Generate publication-quality analyses, figures, and visualizations, and contribute to study design, data interpretation, and project strategy.
• Lead projects toward publication, including drafting manuscripts, preparing methods and results sections, and responding to reviewer comments.
• Present research findings at lab meetings, institutional seminars, collaborative meetings, and scientific conferences.
• Mentor junior lab members and contribute to a collaborative wet-dry lab environment.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance is available.
• Salary and benefits follow the (highly competitive) St. Jude postdoctoral compensation scale.

What This Job Offers

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