SCIENTIST FOR PROTEIN AND BIOLOGICS SCREENING CORE

Join an excellent team of researchers dedicated to coming closer to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, that no child will die at the dawn of life.The Protein and Biologics Screening Core within the Department of Host Microbe Interactions at St. Jude seeks a skilled and highly motivated Scientist with experience in Antibody Discovery. This is a unique opportunity to join as an early member of the biologics core where we aim to discover therapeutic molecules to treat unmet pediatric diseases.

The Protein Biologics and Screening Core (PBSC) was established to discover biologics for advancing cures to unmet diseases in children. PBSC partners with labs at St Jude to discover antibodies and other modalities to impact areas of antimicrobial resistance, host-microbe interactions, and immunity.

As a Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in our team. The individual would be an early member of the biologics core and is expected to drive innovation and culture within the group by helping establish a state-of-the-art discovery engine. Candidates with experience in one or more antibody discovery platforms (Hybridoma fusion/B-cell culture or display methods) are encouraged to apply.The individual is expected to lead projects that have both fundamental and translational components. A PhD or equivalent, and postdoctoral research experience is preferred. Extensive experience with antibody discovery in academia or industry is desirable. In our lab, you will have the opportunity to lead collaborative projects, mentor junior scientists and students, and contribute to therapeutic discoveries and high-impact publications. Applicants should have exceptional communication and organizational skills, a willingness to work in a team atmosphere, willingness to train junior scientists, and should have excellent multitasking abilities. 

What you will do:

• Design and execute antibody discovery campaigns using state-of-the-art platforms and equipment.
• Utilize immunization, hybridoma/B-cell screening and/or display-based antibody libraries (phage, yeast or mammalian) to drive binder discovery.
• Serve as project leads and act as SME for antibody discovery at St Jude.
• Strive for innovation and bring latest technologies to Biologics core.
• Maintain accurate and timely ELN data for discovery campaigns.
• Coordinate external discovery activities.
• Mentor junior staff and help promote an inclusive work culture.

Preferred skills:

• Experience with single B-cell antibody discovery approaches using Beacon/microfluidics.
• Human antibody repertoire analysis using public databases.
• NGS-based sequence discovery.
• Design and generation of display libraries (phage, yeast)
• Experience with small and medium scale mAb expression.
• Experience with mAb characterization techniques (FACS, BLI, epitope binning).

About St. Jude

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. The first and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-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 Science and the National Academy of Medicine. St. Jude is ranked on Fortune Magazine’s “Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma” and Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work”. St. Jude is one of the best-funded research institutes in the US with an annual budget of over $2 billion per year (https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/financials.html).

What We Will Offer You

Working at St. Jude is a remarkable experience in many ways, and you will be provided with many special perks.

• Mission and Purpose: At St. Jude, working is more than just a job — it’s a calling. Each member of St. Jude is united by a shared purpose: finding cures and saving children. In addition to the meaningful work you will undertake, we offer a range of perks to enhance your experience.
• Community and Belonging: St. Jude is like a warm family that welcomes you, to a large part because it is a Children’s hospital.
• The Best of Both Worlds – Industry and Academia: St. Jude provides academic freedom in research and industrial efficiency and resources. We have access to world-class shared resources/facilities led by expert scientists, coupled with state-of-the-art technology and funding, accelerating research productivity.
• World-Class Benefits: St. Jude offers a world-class benefits package (https://www.stjude.org/jobs/hospital/benefits.html). Enjoy comprehensive healthcare, a competitive salary, tuition assistance for continued education, and exceptional work-life balance with ample paid time off.
• Professional Growth: You will have access to opportunities to enhance your professional growth in terms of scientific skills, soft skills, and your career (St. Jude has well defined career path).
• Diversity: St. Jude is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse scientific community, where everyone’s contributions are valued. More information is available here.
• Competitive Compensation: Embark on your journey with a competitive salary (depending on experience) comprehensive benefits and generous relocation assistance, reflecting our commitment to recognize and invest in talent. Furthermore, in Memphis/Tennessee, there is no state income tax.
• Top Employer: St. Jude was among the top 10 large employers in the US in 2024, ahead of Google, Microsoft and Apple: https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-large-employers/?sh=70605b987b66 . Top Employer for Women: St. Jude is also among the top 10 employers for women in the US: https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-women/ . St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is high school and college students’ top “dream employer,” according to the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) 2018 Career Interest Survey. https://www.hrdive.com/news/st-judes-tops-list-of-students-dream-employers/526201/.
• Additional Perks: St. Jude offers many special perks, such as an on-site gym, an employee pharmacy, and many others. To learn more about the unexpected perks of working at St. Jude, visit our website at https://www.stjude.org/jobs/hospital/talent-talks/10-unexpected-perks-of-working-at-st-jude.html.

About Memphis

St. Jude is located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food, and culture. Living in Memphis provides several unique advantages, including:

• Breathtaking Nature: Memphis provides unique nature and scenery, such as the Mississippi (the largest river in the US) or Shelby Farms Park, with which 4,500 acres is one of the largest urban parks in the country. See https://www.memphistravel.com/sports-outdoors for more details.
• Its Culture: It is for instance the home of Elvis Presley. See https://www.memphistravel.com/arts-culture for more details on the cultural aspects.
• It’s Affordability: Memphis is one of the most affordable cities in the US, meaning the same income will bring you farther than in other places in the US (for more details, see https://www.moneycrashers.com/most-affordable-cities-live/).

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required.

Minimum Experience:

• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required
• 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

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $86,320 - $154,960 per year for the role of Scientist for Protein and Biologics Screening Core.

Explore our exceptional benefits!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has a diverse, global patient population and workforce, built on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our founder Danny Thomas envisioned a hospital that would treat children of the world—regardless of race, religion or a family’s ability to pay. Learn more about our history and commitment.

Today, we continue the mission to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. As we accelerate this progress globally, we believe our legacy of diversity, equity and inclusion is foundational to success. With the commitment of leaders at all levels of the organization, we strive to ensure the St. Jude culture, leadership approaches and talent processes are equitable and culturally responsive. View our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report to learn about the hospital’s roots in diversity, equity and inclusion, where we are today and our aspirations for an even better future.

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.