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

The successful candidate should be an experienced bench scientist with a strong background in experimental biology and/or molecular pharmacology, and he/she will lead an independent subproject while collaborating closely with clinicians, statistical geneticists, and computational biologists. The fellow will be expected to publish high-quality peer-reviewed work and pursue appropriate postdoctoral fellowships and other external funding opportunities.
Required Qualifications
• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, genetics, molecular biology, or a related biomedical field. The degree must be completed before the start date. Candidates with a PharmD or MD and substantial research experience will also be considered.
• A strong record of research productivity, demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications.
• Knowledge and research experience in at least one of the following areas: pharmacology, human genetics, functional genomics, genome editing, animal models.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Preferred Qualifications
• 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.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. It is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Our 300 faculty work across the spectrum of basic, translational, clinical, and population science in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment that includes a Nobel laureate and members of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine. St. Jude is ranked on Fortune Magazine's Best Workplaces in Health Care and Biopharma and Glassdoor's Best Places to Work, and is located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food, and culture.
We are in pursuit of the brightest minds in biomedical sciences, individuals poised to contribute to our research progress. In addition to access to top-quality scientists and mentors, as a postdoctoral trainee at St. Jude, you will have:
• A Blend of Academic Freedom and Industrial Efficiency: Access to shared resources and facilities led by expert scientists, coupled with cutting-edge technology, accelerates research productivity.
• Customized Professional and Career Growth: Programs designed to enhance professional growth and career readiness include grant-writing workshops, individual development plans, teaching and mentoring opportunities, non-research career advancement programs, a professional-development allowance, and more.
• Competitive Compensation: A competitive salary starting at $72,500 per year, comprehensive benefits, and generous relocation assistance reflect our commitment to recognizing and investing in talent.
• A Sense of Community: St. Jude fosters a vibrant postdoctoral community that supports a well-balanced life and promotes connections and camaraderie among postdocs from all backgrounds.
How to Apply
Please apply through the St. Jude careers portal and include a cover letter describing your research interests, relevant technical background, career goals, and anticipated availability; a curriculum vitae with a complete publication list; a one- to two-page statement of research experience and interests; and contact information for three professional references. Reference letters may be requested from shortlisted candidates.
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet, or in any form or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid if the candidate is hired by St. Jude.

The Yang Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Center for Pharmacogenomics at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking 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 integrates multi-omics and computational analyses with experimental functional validation to advance precision medicine, especially for targeted agents and immunotherapeutics.

Our internationally recognized pharmacogenomics program studies the genetic determinants of drug efficacy and toxicity and translates these discoveries into precision pharmacotherapy. Over the years, our lab has made a series of landmark discoveries in this space, as evidenced by publications in top-tier journals including Nature Medicine, Nature Genetics, Nature Cancer, Cancer Cell, Science Translational Medicine, Lancet Oncology, JAMA Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Blood. Many of our discoveries have been translated directly into clinical practice, most notably NUDT15 genotype-guided mercaptopurine therapy, which is incorporated into FDA-approved prescribing information and implemented worldwide.

Current research directions include

·         Defining genetic and multi-omic mechanisms of anticancer drug efficacy and treatment-related toxicity using pediatric cancer cohorts and long-term survivor cohorts.

·         Using samples from large clinical trials and single-cell approaches to study response to targeted therapies and mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in childhood leukemia.

·         Applying functional genomics and single-cell systems to conduct large-scale, high-throughput studies of gene-drug interactions.

·         Using chemical biology approaches, including molecular glues and proteolysis-targeting chimeras, to develop novel therapeutics for high-risk leukemias.

We are committed to a human-centered hiring experience. Technology may support portions of our process, but recruiting decisions involve human review and engagement. Learn more about our approach to AI.

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

No Search Firms

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.