St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Scientist – Chen Lab, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Join our Team!
At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, every discovery, every experiment, and every collaboration is driven by one shared mission—to find cures and save children. The Chen Lab, within the Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, is seeking a passionate and creative Scientist to join our growing team. The Chen Lab’s research seeks to accelerate therapeutic development for childhood brain disorders by combining stem cell-derived organoid models with advanced gene-targeting tools. Our recent studies highlight the power of human stem cell models to uncover disease mechanisms in ways traditional systems cannot—offering new hope for children with rare or difficult-to-treat conditions.
Our research focuses on how genetic variants contribute to diseases during early development and on developing mechanism-driven therapeutics. While murine models have advanced our understanding of many disorders, developing highly effective therapeutics are still lagging, especially for newly identified rare disease variants for children.
As a scientist in the Chen Lab, you’ll play a key role in projects exploring the molecular and genetic underpinnings of neurological disorders, while also contributing to the design of mechanism-driven therapeutics. You’ll have opportunities to drive independent ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and grow scientifically within St. Jude’s vibrant and collaborative community.
What You’ll Work On
Investigating how genetic variants influence early brain development using human stem cell–derived organoids and assembloids.
Integrating single-cell multiomics, spatial transcriptomics, long-read sequencing, and high-throughput imaging to discover new disease mechanisms.
Developing therapeutics grounded in genome engineering, antisense oligonucleotides, and small molecule discovery—bridging the gap between bench and bedside.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Backgrounds in cell and molecular biology, cell culture, imaging, and statistics.
Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
Be collaborative, curious, highly motivated, and a strong communicator.
Job Responsibilities
Coordinates multiple aspects of research projects and carries out laboratory experiments utilizing various laboratory techniques, and determines whether additional or other tools or methods are required.
Provides input regarding research protocols and experiments.
Sets up protocols and assists in developing new laboratory techniques as required.
Identifies experimental data pertinent to the analysis problem.
Processes, organizes and summarizes data, reporting these experimental results as required.
Monitors quality and integrity of recorded information and data.
May draft sections of research manuscripts.
Provides basic lab operation support to include equipment maintenance and purchasing.
Monitors inventory levels and orders lab supplies as needed.
Performs calibration of instruments and equipment.
Maintains regular and predictable attendance.
Minimum Education
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
Why Join the Chen Lab Team?
Lead innovative projects on disease modeling and therapeutic discovery
Gain hands-on experience with stem cell, omics, and gene therapy platforms
Receive personalized mentorship and career development support
Have opportunities to pursue your own research interests and collaborate across disciplines
Work in a supportive and well-funded team with access to core facilities and institutional resources
About Memphis St. Jude is based in Memphis, Tennessee—a city known for its rich cultural heritage, affordable cost of living, and vibrant lifestyle.
Nature: Explore the Mississippi River or the 4,500-acre Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country.
Culture: Experience world-famous music history and vibrant arts, from Elvis Presley’s Graceland to live blues on Beale Street.
Affordability: Memphis consistently ranks among the most affordable U.S. cities, allowing your income to stretch further.
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 – Chen Lab, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research.
Explore our exceptional benefits!
Equal Opportunity St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Our research focuses on how genetic variants contribute to diseases during early development and on developing mechanism-driven therapeutics. While murine models have advanced our understanding of many disorders, developing highly effective therapeutics are still lagging, especially for newly identified rare disease variants for children.
As a scientist in the Chen Lab, you’ll play a key role in projects exploring the molecular and genetic underpinnings of neurological disorders, while also contributing to the design of mechanism-driven therapeutics. You’ll have opportunities to drive independent ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and grow scientifically within St. Jude’s vibrant and collaborative community.
What You’ll Work On
Investigating how genetic variants influence early brain development using human stem cell–derived organoids and assembloids.
Integrating single-cell multiomics, spatial transcriptomics, long-read sequencing, and high-throughput imaging to discover new disease mechanisms.
Developing therapeutics grounded in genome engineering, antisense oligonucleotides, and small molecule discovery—bridging the gap between bench and bedside.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Backgrounds in cell and molecular biology, cell culture, imaging, and statistics.
Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
Be collaborative, curious, highly motivated, and a strong communicator.
Job Responsibilities
Coordinates multiple aspects of research projects and carries out laboratory experiments utilizing various laboratory techniques, and determines whether additional or other tools or methods are required.
Provides input regarding research protocols and experiments.
Sets up protocols and assists in developing new laboratory techniques as required.
Identifies experimental data pertinent to the analysis problem.
Processes, organizes and summarizes data, reporting these experimental results as required.
Monitors quality and integrity of recorded information and data.
May draft sections of research manuscripts.
Provides basic lab operation support to include equipment maintenance and purchasing.
Monitors inventory levels and orders lab supplies as needed.
Performs calibration of instruments and equipment.
Maintains regular and predictable attendance.
Minimum Education
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
Why Join the Chen Lab Team?
Lead innovative projects on disease modeling and therapeutic discovery
Gain hands-on experience with stem cell, omics, and gene therapy platforms
Receive personalized mentorship and career development support
Have opportunities to pursue your own research interests and collaborate across disciplines
Work in a supportive and well-funded team with access to core facilities and institutional resources
About Memphis St. Jude is based in Memphis, Tennessee—a city known for its rich cultural heritage, affordable cost of living, and vibrant lifestyle.
Nature: Explore the Mississippi River or the 4,500-acre Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country.
Culture: Experience world-famous music history and vibrant arts, from Elvis Presley’s Graceland to live blues on Beale Street.
Affordability: Memphis consistently ranks among the most affordable U.S. cities, allowing your income to stretch further.
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 – Chen Lab, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research.
Explore our exceptional benefits!
Equal Opportunity St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
#J-18808-Ljbffr