Senior Researcher in Babu Lab

We are seeking a Senior Researcher to join the Babu group.

As a part of the Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Discovery in the Department of Structural Biology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Babu Group seeks a highly driven, full-time experimental Senior Researcher with a strong background in molecular biology and mammalian cell culture techniques, and a strong commitment to supporting laboratory operations.

This is primarily a support role. The successful candidate will be a fast learner who can operate independently with care and confidence to support day-to-day experimental efforts in the Group. This role is appropriate for a candidate holding a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and varying degrees of experience. They will provide research support, perform experiments with guidance, and oversee supply inventorying, ordering, and receiving. Successful candidates will have experience making media preparations, performing standard molecular cloning procedures, and handling mammalian cell lines. Excellent organization and communication skills are required to document experimental observations, present results, and coordinate materials for multiple experimentalists in the group. A primary component of the weekly responsibilities will be 1) maintaining, ordering, and organizing laboratory equipment and supplies, and 2) maintaining mammalian cell culture lines to support high-throughput assays.

We encourage all candidates who believe their skills are well aligned with the job to apply via the link below. Please include a cover letter explaining how you believe your skills and experiences make you a strong candidate for this role. The Senior Researcher position is appropriate for someone at the earlier stage of their research career; PhD applicants are beyond the scope of this role.

The Babu Group leverages data-driven approaches to explore sequence–function relationships in intrinsically disordered proteins and structure–function relationships in medicinally important structured protein families, such as GPCRs and kinases. Committed to fostering a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion, the group believes these values are essential to creating a dynamic and intellectually stimulating scientific environment.

Core Responsibilities

• Laboratory Support: Ordering supplies, managing stocks, inventorying, and maintaining organized records under the supervision of the Director of Scientific Operations and Manager.
• Cell Biology: Maintaining mammalian cell culture lines and preparing them for testing and experiments; performing mycoplasma testing, STR profiling, and managing cryopreserved cell stocks.
• Molecular Biology: Performing molecular cloning of single constructs and DNA libraries using modern assembly techniques; preparing LB broth and plates, and plasmid DNA for downstream applications.
• Stocks and Assay Preparation: Preparing media, reagents, and assay components for experiments, including cell-based and biophysical assays in fluorescence and luminescence modes using plate readers, flow cytometers, and microscopes under the supervision of Senior Scientists.
• Instrument Maintenance: Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Data Collection and Documentation: Meticulous electronic documentation of experimental observations, procedures, sample organization, and results in an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN).

Opportunities for Professional Growth

• The applicant will gain hands-on experience in analyzing cellular phenotypes using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry to carry out their primary responsibilities.
• The applicant will learn advanced techniques for genetic engineering of mammalian cell lines to carry out their primary responsibilities.
• The candidate will learn to use fluorescence- and luminescence-based biosensors and reporter assays to interrogate intracellular signaling.
• The candidate will have an opportunity to learn protein overexpression from bacterial, insect, and mammalian cells for modern structural biology techniques.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is consistently named as one of Fortune magazine and Glassdoor.com’s “Best Places to Work,” as well as “Best Workplace for Women” and “Best Workplace for Diversity.” We are in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food, and culture. Mild winters and beautiful green outdoor spaces are part of the reasons why Forbes recently named Memphis the 4th happiest city in which to work. Low cost of living and high quality of life are other attractions; Money magazine listed Memphis as one of the least expensive cities in which to raise a child. St. Jude salaries are highly competitive.

St Jude Employees receive:

• Excellent healthcare plans with zero to low health premium costs
• Onsite health clinic, pharmacy, and exercise facilities
• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance
• Immigration Services
• Tuition Reimbursement

Minimum Education and/or Training:

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

Minimum Experience:

• Two (2) years of relevant, post-degree work experience is required with a Bachelor's degree.
• No experience is required with a Master's degree.

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 $26.00 - $45.50 per hour for the role of Senior Researcher in Babu Lab.

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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.