Cell Assay Lead/Principal Scientist - Blue Sky Kinases

This Senior Scientist position is part of the Blue Sky Initiative "Seeing the Invisible in Protein Kinases" at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

As a member of the Cell-Based Assays team, the candidate will use their cell signaling research expertise and knowledge along with cell culture skills to design and perform experiments that translate novel insights into kinase structure and regulation determined in vitro into functional effects in cells.

The candidate will guide junior staff in designing high-quality cell biology experiments, critically review the experimental data generated by the cell biology team, and assist with troubleshooting. The work is diverse, providing an opportunity to study multiple kinases, conduct rigorous background research, and optimize cell-based assays of various types using many different cell lines or primary cells.

The cell-based studies are used not only to validate structural findings but also to discover new kinase-mediated biology or new mechanisms of kinase regulation.

The Blue Sky Initiative "Seeing the Invisible in Protein Kinases" is an interdisciplinary project in The Department of Structural Biology and is supported by US $50 million in institutional funding. This large-scale project leverages ultra-high field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), complemented with cryoEM, X-ray crystallography, data-science and computational approaches, to characterize the conformational landscape of the human kinome. Knowledge of kinase conformations is then used to discover new biology regarding kinase function and regulation in cells, understand the structural and functional consequences of disease-associated mutations, and identify novel therapeutic opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Research kinase-mediated signaling pathways, kinase targets or kinase-dependent phosphorylation events, and cellular outcomes of such pathways for assigned kinase projects
• Interface with the cell-based assays team and structural biology researchers, identifying appropriate cellular assays and cells for performing analysis of kinase signaling output and cellular phenotypes related to structure-guided perturbations in kinase regulation or function
• Develop strategies and plans for implementing a wide spectrum of cell-based assays to assess processes either regulated by or regulating kinases, including but not limited to evaluation of protein phosphorylation, protein interaction, protein localization, RNA abundance (qRT-PCR), protein ubiquitination, and protein abundance
• Lead and collaborate with a team of scientists on multiple structure-guided cell biology projects, and provide project direction and guidance to junior staff.
• Work closely with the cell biology team to implement and troubleshoot a variety of cell-based phenotypic assays, including but not limited to viability, apoptosis, autophagy, migration, or differentiation
• Critically review the relevant protein kinase literature, the experimental data generated by the team, and assist the team in designing and performing optimization and troubleshooting of cell-based assays
• Perform cell assay data analyses, including statistical analysis using graphing software or R scripts
• Interpret, analyze, prepare research reports, and communicate cell-based assay results within the Cell-Based Assays team and with collaborators on specific kinase projects
• Contribute to recruiting and growing the team, guiding and mentoring junior staff

Experience and Expertise:

• Experience in analysis of proteinkinases and phosphorylation-dependent signaling events or pathways
• Expertise in culturing a variety of types of cells, such as cancer cell lines, primary cells, mouse embryo fibroblasts, inducible human pluripotent cells, immune cells, neuronal cells, and muscle cells
• Expertise in multiple methods for exogenous protein expression
• Proficiency in presentation of experimental design and results using PowerPoint or similar software
• Experience with mouse models, preferred but not essential

Technical Capabilities:

• Cloning, PCR, and qRT-PCR
• Sterile technique
• Cell transfection, transduction, or infection to exogenously express proteins of interest transiently or for cell line generation
• Quantitative immunoassays, such as ELISA, AlphaLISA, and Mesoscale Discovery

• Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting
• Protein-protein interaction analysis, such as proximity ligation, FRET, or NanoBit assays
• Flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)
• Reporter gene assays
• Phenotypic assays, such as viability, apoptosis, proliferation, migration, colony-forming, autophagy, endocytosis, secretion, or differentiation assays
• Microscopy, such as immunofluorescence, live-cell imaging, subcellular localization, colocalization analysis
• Cellular fractionation

Competencies:

• Creative and results-driven with strong critical thinking and the ability to learn quickly
• Hardworking, well-organized, flexible, and capable of multitasking efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative and efficient member of teams with diverse backgrounds and opinions
• Ability to prioritize work and complete assignments promptly

Minimum Education and/or Training:

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

Minimum Experience:

• Fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience is required with a Bachelor's degree.
• Thirteen (13) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree.
• Ten (10) years or relevant work experience is required with a PhD.

The World's Brightest Minds Always Innovate

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, we know what can be achieved when the brightest scientific minds face the fewest barriers. That's why we provide

• World-class facilities
• State-of-the-art technologies
• Extraordinary support
• A collaborative, bench-to-bedside environment

You will see, firsthand, how your science translates into survival for the children that we serve. Quite simply, at St. Jude, we encourage you to dream big and stop at nothing when it comes to finding cures and saving children.

Better at Work. Better at Life.

When you work at St. Jude, you'll join a highly collaborative work culture that inspires you every day to be your best. With opportunities for learning and growth, you can shape a career path that is right for you while also enjoying all the benefits and stability of working for a world-class institution. This includes work-life balance with generous paid time-off and on-campus conveniences that make life a little easier. Join us and you'll quickly see why St. Jude is consistently ranked by our employees on Glassdoor as a "Best Place to Work."

Have More in Memphis

Get the best of big-city amenities mixed with all the charm of a small-town feel when you live in Memphis. From our world-renowned music scene to our eclectic mix of food and people, Memphis is a place our employees are proud to call home. Our region enjoys a cost of living more than 20% lower than the national average and our state places no personal income tax on wages. Plus, Memphians spend five hours less per year in their daily commute compared to the national average. Learn how you can "Have More in Memphis."

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