Postdoctoral Research Associate - Yang Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Center for Pharmacogenomics

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

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Yang Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Center for Pharmacogenomics at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital seeks a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate the genetic and molecular basis of variability in treatment response in childhood cancer. The position combines multi-omics and computational analyses with experimental functional validation to advance precision medicine, particularly for targeted agents and immunotherapeutics.

The successful candidate will be an experienced bench scientist with a strong background in experimental biology and/or molecular pharmacology. They will lead an independent subproject and collaborate closely with clinicians, statistical geneticists, and computational biologists. The fellow is expected to publish high-quality peer-reviewed work and pursue appropriate postdoctoral fellowships and other external funding opportunities.

Research directions include defining genetic and multi-omic mechanisms of anticancer drug efficacy and treatment-related toxicity; studying response to targeted therapies and immunotherapy resistance in childhood leukemia using clinical-trial samples and single-cell approaches; conducting large-scale, high-throughput gene-drug interaction studies using functional genomics and single-cell systems; and developing novel therapeutics for high-risk leukemias using chemical biology approaches, including molecular glues and proteolysis-targeting chimeras.

St. Jude is a pediatric research institution focused on cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases, with a highly collaborative multidisciplinary research environment. Postdoctoral trainees have access to shared research resources and facilities, professional and career development programs, a professional-development allowance, and a supportive postdoctoral community. The position offers a competitive salary starting at $72,500 per year, comprehensive benefits, and relocation assistance.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, genetics, molecular biology, or a related biomedical field, completed before the start date; candidates with a PharmD or MD and substantial research experience will also be considered.
• Strong record of research productivity demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications.
• Knowledge and research experience in at least one of these areas: pharmacology, human genetics, functional genomics, genome editing, or animal models.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with large-scale functional genomics studies, including in vitro or in vivo CRISPR screening.
• Experience with high-throughput drug-sensitivity profiling or preclinical drug evaluation.
• Research experience in cancer biology, cancer therapy, or treatment-related toxicity.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the genetic and molecular basis of variability in treatment response in childhood cancer.
• Integrate multi-omics and computational analyses with experimental functional validation to advance precision medicine.
• Lead an independent research subproject.
• Collaborate closely with clinicians, statistical geneticists, and computational biologists.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research.
• Pursue appropriate postdoctoral fellowships and other external funding opportunities.
• Potentially contribute to research on anticancer drug efficacy and toxicity, targeted therapies, immunotherapy resistance, gene-drug interactions, and novel therapeutics for high-risk leukemias.

Benefits

• Access to shared resources and facilities led by expert scientists, coupled with cutting-edge technology.
• Professional and career development programs, including grant-writing workshops, individual development plans, teaching and mentoring opportunities, and non-research career advancement programs.
• Professional-development allowance.
• Competitive salary starting at $72,500 per year.
• Comprehensive benefits.
• Generous relocation assistance.
• Supportive postdoctoral community.

What This Job Offers

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