Scientist - Yen Lab/TGEn Group (Hematopoietic Stem Cell, Genome Editing)

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

147d•$86,320 - $154,960•Onsite

About The Position

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is seeking a Scientist to join Dr. Jonathan Yen’s lab and the Therapeutic Genome Engineering (TGEn) group. The Scientist performs and/or coordinates a wide range of laboratory research procedures, carries out complex research-support tasks and projects, performs laboratory techniques independently, and presents results. The role contributes to a multidisciplinary effort to advance genome-editing strategies for sickle cell disease toward a Phase 1 clinical trial. The Scientist will develop and characterize genome-edited human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) products and support preclinical strategies for hemoglobinopathies and other hematological diseases, process development, and IND-enabling pharmacology and toxicology studies. Work includes evaluating efficacy, safety, and potency in in-vitro and xenotransplantation assays; optimizing processes; and preparing documentation to standardize and transfer processes to a GMP facility. The position is based in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a full-time weekday day-shift role scheduled for 40 hours per week. Relocation assistance is available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific area.
With a bachelor’s degree, eight years of relevant post-degree work experience.
With a master’s degree, six years of relevant post-degree work experience.
With a PhD, three years of relevant post-degree work experience.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD degree in a relevant scientific area.
Experience leading and supporting research experiments.
Experience leading laboratory and scientific project coordination, maintenance, and other research-support activities.
Experience guiding and training other laboratory personnel.
Strong combined experience in genome editing and human hematopoietic stem cells.
Expertise in hematopoietic stem cell biology and genome-editing technologies.
Proven performance in an earlier or comparable role.

Responsibilities

Develop genome-editing strategies for human hematopoietic stem cells.
Design and execute IND-enabling experiments to characterize the pharmacology of a genome-edited human HSC product for treating sickle cell disease.
Characterize the efficacy, safety, and potency of the HSC cellular drug product in in-vitro and xenotransplantation assays.
Perform multicolor flow cytometry and FACS to sort relevant hematopoietic populations.
Develop experimental methods, including RT-PCR, ddPCR, next-generation sequencing, and single-cell sequencing.
Prepare NGS libraries and analyze on-target and off-target editing outcomes.
Evaluate scale-up and closed-system processes to ensure reproducibility of the drug product.
Conduct exploratory research to develop novel in-vitro and in-vivo delivery strategies.
Interact and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance the program.
Establish tracking and trending analyses of process development and pilot runs.
Draft protocols, batch records, reports, and other documentation to standardize and transfer processes to a GMP facility.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
Perform other related duties as assigned to meet department and institutional goals.