Work at the boundary between disciplines, combining two of the hottest biophysical techniques to discover the kinetics of genome-editing systems. Top-tier compensation and benefits, supportive and collaborative team environment with strong mentoring opportunities and exciting potential for career advancement.

Ideal Candidates

• Are you passionate about innovative research that has the potential to dramatically improve patients’ lives and change the world?

• Are you excited to push the envelope of understanding with respect to the structure and kinetics of genome-editing?

• Do you love learning and developing innovative methodologies to understand and engineer novel genome-editors

• Are you motivated by a fast-paced collegial environment with a diversity of technical expertise and a strong emphasis on creative and rigorous science? 

• Is open communication one of your strengths? Do you proactively address issues head on?

If you’ve answered “yes” to all of these, then we’d love to meet with you! But first, here a are more details about the role…

Overview

The Kellogg & Blanchard labs are looking for a joint postdoctoral fellow to expand their genome-editing research portfolio with expertise in either cryo-EM or single-molecule biophysics. Examples include TIRF, DNA-curtains, smFRET, or single-particle cryo-EM.

Attributes of successful candidates:

• A desire to lead projects independently from start to finish with a focus on successful outcomes

• Strong attention to details coupled with a deep understanding of (1) biophysics and (2) protein structure and function

• A proactive, fast learner who can operate independently and possesses strong communication skills

• A leader with a contagious ‘can-do’ attitude

• Excellent organization and presentation skills coupled to a collaborative attitude

Opportunities for Professional Growth

• You will have the opportunity to take an active role in leadership within the Kellogg lab as we grow further.

• As an integral and critical member of the Kellogg lab at St. Jude, you will also be able to participate in internal meetings and interact with other groups and faculty at St. Jude to advance applications of protein design. You will be working alongside internationally recognized scientists who are leaders in such disciplines as genome-editing, AI/machine learning, protein engineering, cryo-EM/ET, NMR, single-molecule experiments and more.

• You will also collaborate with the wider community at St. Jude, which is full of very smart, helpful, and fun individuals with unique and diverse scientific strengths.

• The candidate will be given opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary scientific research and be mentored in developing leadership skills.

• You will have opportunities to attend scientific conferences surrounding the fields of protein and systems design and get exposure to the biopharma industry.

About the Kellogg lab

The Kellogg lab uses cutting edge structural techniques, biochemistry, genetics, and protein design to develop novel genome-editing tools. By addressing key bottlenecks in current research, the Kellogg lab is a leader in the field (Science, 2023, Molecular Cell, 2023, Science, 2023, Nature, 2023, PNAS, 2022, Science, 2021, and more), and has generous support via: the NIH, Pew Biomedical Foundation, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to develop novel approaches to engineer programmable transposons for clinical gene replacement therapy.

The Kellogg lab is a highly interdisciplinary scientific environment, routinely working with the Cryo-EM Center, the Protein Technology Center, the Single-Molecule Imaging Center, the Center for Advanced Genome Editing, and the Cell & Tissue Imaging Center. It is a scientifically enriched environment with regular CRISPR supergroup discussions (with Dr. Shengdar Tsai) and Cryo-EM supergroup meetings.

To virtually meet Dr. Kellogg, check out The Plunge, a Cryo-EM Podcast she and two colleagues hosted. Dr. Kellogg was also recently featured on Cryo-Talk to talk about her life & work.

The Kellogg lab is committed to building a lab culture that is rooted in respect,support and collaboartion. This foundation promotes a dynamic, innovative, and impactful scientific environment driven by empathy and intellectual curiosity.

About the Blanchard lab

The Blanchard lab is a deeply interdisciplinary group with extensive expertise in single-molecule interrogations spanning a wide range of scientific fields and systems. These include studies of bacterial and human translation, membrane protein signaling, transporters, and engineering of self-healing photostabilized fluorophores. Coupled with these enabling technologies, the group is at the forefront of advances in microscopy instrument development, microfluidics, surface chemistries and software development to enable cutting edge single-molecule studies.

About St. Jude

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is consistently named as one of Fortune magazine’s “Best Companies to Work for” and top 10 “Best Places to Work in Academia” by the Scientist Magazine. St. Jude is located in Memphis, Tennessee, the 28th most populous city in America. Memphis is a historic city with an affordable cost of living along with world class dining and strong cultural tradition in music and theater. Memphis enjoys a mild, sunny climate year-round and has some of the largest outdoor green spaces of any big city.

St. Jude Employees receive:

• St. Jude offers a well-defined career ladder with potential for growth and advancement. Industry-competitive salaries are based on your degree and years of experience. 

• Excellent healthcare plans with zero to low health premium costs

• Generous retirement benefits with contributions from St. Jude

• Onsite health clinic, pharmacy, and exercise facilities

• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance

• Immigration services

• Tuition reimbursement

• For a complete description of our benefits for this position, click here.

Minimum Requirements:

• PhD level in protein biophysics with a strong emphasis in either cryo-EM OR single-molecule biophysics.

• A proven track record of success in projects/publications, from concept to experimental characterization.

Desired qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, or structural biology.

• An outstanding academic and professional track record of achievement.

• Practical experience in experimental biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology or biophysics.

• Independence, critical thinking, and experience with mentoring and collaborative interdisciplinary work is strongly valued.

This Position May be Suitable For:

• Recent graduates or postdocs from leading cryo-EM or single molecule labs

To be considered, please email: Elizabeth.Kellogg@stjude.org with your C.V. and a brief statement describing research areas that you’d like to pursue as a postdoctoral fellow.

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.