Scientist / Sr. Scientist —Cell, Molecular & Chemical Biology (Taosheng Chen Lab)

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

4d•Onsite

About The Position

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. The Taosheng Chen Lab within our Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics is seeking a collaborative and innovative Scientist or Senior Scientist with expertise in cell biology, molecular biology, and/or chemical biology to lead research efforts to develop and characterize the mechanisms of action of novel chemical probes—including agonists, antagonists, and degraders—targeting the nuclear receptors PXR and CAR. The successful candidate will independently design and execute studies, generate high-quality datasets to test scientific hypotheses, and integrate findings across multiple disciplines. The candidate will work closely with in-house structural biologists and medicinal chemists to generate complementary data and advance projects, and will take a leading role in organizing and writing multidisciplinary manuscripts. The Chen Laboratory leverages multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the chemical regulation of nuclear receptors, with the overarching goal of elucidating nuclear receptor-driven transcriptional networks and developing innovative therapeutic strategies to combat drug resistance and tumorigenesis. Using integrated cellular, molecular, and chemical biology approaches, our research is closely aligned with structural biology and medicinal chemistry, enabling the successful execution of high-impact, collaborative studies. This synergistic framework has led to publications in leading journals, including Nature Communications (2017, 2024, 2025) and PNAS (2023), highlighting our contributions to advancing the understanding and therapeutic targeting of nuclear receptor signaling. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of high-quality research and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Requirements

DNA: cloning, plasmid construction, and related molecular biology techniques
RNA: RNA isolation, gene expression analysis, and transcriptional profiling
Proteins : Western blotting, protein–compound interactions, protein–protein interactions, and/or proteomic profiling
Small molecules: experience evaluating the cellular activity, mechanism of action, and/or pharmacology of small-molecule compounds
Structural biology: a basic understanding of protein crystal structures and ligand–protein interactions is essential for effective collaboration with structural biologists
Medicinal chemistry: a basic understanding of small-molecule structures and structure–activity relationships is important for meaningful collaboration with medicinal chemists
Strong cell and molecular biology expertise with exposure to chemical biology
Experience evaluating small-molecule mechanisms of action
An understanding of structural biology and medicinal chemistry concepts
A demonstrated record of impactful publications, particularly in high-quality journals
Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required

Nice To Haves

Murine studies experience is a plus

Responsibilities

Conducts experiments/projects independently under overall direction of the PI and/or more senior scientist
Develops new research protocols, techniques and procedures.
Identifies experimental data pertinent to the analysis problem.
Processes, organizes and summarizes data, reporting these experimental results.
Monitors quality and integrity of recorded information and data.
Ensures data collection and entry methods meet quality standards.
Interprets data as it relates to research problem.
May publish as co-author and/or draft sections of research manuscripts as necessary.
Presents research to colleagues within the organization or at external meetings/events.
Provides lab operation support and makes recommendations regarding equipment use and maintenance, supplies, etc.
Troubleshoots instrument and equipment issues.
Provides input into lab operation processes and procedures.
Recommends equipment acquisition and decommissioning.
Regularly trains and oversees the work of others in laboratory techniques and procedures.
Performs other related duties as assigned in order to meet the goals of the department and institution.
Maintains regular and predictable attendance