Scientist-Molecular Microbiology Development

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

5d•$86,320 - $154,960•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Scientist – Molecular Microbiology Development to support the advancement of molecular diagnostic technologies focused on infectious disease detection, quantitation, and characterization. This role contributes directly to patient care through the development, evaluation, implementation, and support of molecular assays, reagents, instruments, and test systems within a dynamic clinical and research environment. At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we provide world-class facilities, state-of-the-art technologies, extraordinary support, and a collaborative, bench-to-bedside environment where you can see, firsthand, how your science translates into survival for the children we serve. We encourage you to dream big and stop at nothing when it comes to finding cures and saving children.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required.
Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required with a Bachelor's degree.
Six (6) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree.
Three (3) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD.

Responsibilities

Support patient care through the development and evaluation of assays, reagents, instruments, and test systems related to the detection, quantitation, and characterization of infectious disease agents.
Utilize a broad range of established and emerging molecular technologies and methodologies to achieve the goals of the Molecular Microbiology section, including: Nucleic acid purification methods, Molecular amplification methodologies, Nucleic acid sequencing systems, Molecular analytic pipelines, Digital PCR and related techniques, Basic molecular analytic and biochemical techniques.
Apply broad scientific knowledge in clinical microbiology and virology, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), to assay development, evaluation, and implementation activities.
Demonstrate a strong theoretical and practical understanding of: Molecular amplification chemistries, Nucleic acid extraction chemistries and workflows, Sequencing technologies, Immunologic and immunodiagnostic methodologies.
Work with a wide variety of molecular and analytical platforms, including: Automated and manual extraction systems, Amplification technologies, Sequencing systems, RNA sequencing (RNAseq), Array-based methodologies, Immunologic techniques such as ELISpot, Proteomic or metabolomic related methods or data.
Utilize computational and bioinformatic tools to support assay development and data interpretation, including: Primer and assay design software, Sequence analysis software, Molecular analytics pipelines, Command-line computational tools, Emerging machine learning applications relevant to molecular diagnostics.
Maintain awareness of biosafety principles and clinical laboratory quality essentials, including general laboratory structure, quality systems, and operational paradigms relevant to molecular diagnostics.
Work autonomously or semi-autonomously on assigned projects while collaborating with members of the Molecular Microbiology development and clinical laboratory teams.
Provide technical expertise and troubleshooting support for established assays and contribute to assay selection, assay design, and experimental strategy development.
Facilitate the transition and sustainment of newly developed, modified, or evaluated assays from the development environment into the clinical testing laboratory through: Personnel training, Assay troubleshooting and support, Development and quality control of control materials and calibrators.
Communicate scientific findings, project updates, and relevant literature to members of the Molecular Microbiology team, institutional stakeholders, and the broader scientific community through meetings, presentations, reports, and publications.