St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Wet Lab Scientist - Ligand Discovery
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Overview
Join an excellent team of researchers dedicated to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The QAI4Bio (Quantum AI for Biology) Lab seeks a wet lab Scientist with experience in ligand discovery to contribute to drug discovery projects. Our group develops computational methods for ligand discovery and includes a wet lab for experimental validation of computational predictions. As a wet lab Scientist, you will contribute to the experimental validation of protein–ligand interactions, targeting proteins related to epigenetic regulation, cancer, and aging. You will produce high-quality proteins, design and perform binding assays using biophysical methods (SPR, MST, ITC, BLI) or fluorescence-based methods (FP, TR-FRET), and optimize workflows for ligand discovery. Depending on your skills, you may also participate in structural studies (NMR, X-ray, cryo-EM) using core facilities at St. Jude. You will also be the first full-time member of the wet lab, with collaboration alongside the computational and other wet-lab teams. In this role you will have opportunities to lead collaborative projects, mentor junior scientists and students, and contribute to high-impact publications. Collaboration with computational and wet-lab colleagues will be essential to validate predicted hits and lead compounds. You will contribute to multiple ligand/discovery projects and help advance pediatric research. Job Responsibilities
Leading the wet lab experiments for ligand/drug discovery projects with minimal to moderate supervision. Protein production: Express and purify target proteins (primarily bacterial expression systems; insect or mammalian systems as needed) and ensure quality for downstream studies. Binding assays: Design and execute ligand-binding experiments, focusing on biophysical and fluorescence-based assays; include cell-based assays when appropriate; optimize conditions for robust results. Wet lab leadership/management: Manage day-to-day wet lab operations, mentor/train team members, and oversee equipment maintenance and reagent inventory. Data handling: Identify, organize, summarize, review, and report relevant data. Cross-functional collaboration: Work with computational team members who identify hits and leads computationally. Dissemination: Prepare and contribute to manuscripts (under PI supervision) for publication and presentation of findings. Interdepartmental collaboration: Foster interdisciplinary approaches to solve scientific challenges. Communication: Present research findings to internal and external audiences to advance pediatric research goals. Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific area required. Eight (8) years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's degree; six (6) years with a Master’s degree; three (3) years with a PhD. About St. Jude
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other childhood diseases. It is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted to children. Our faculty collaborate across basic, translational, clinical, and population science in a multidisciplinary environment. What We Will Offer You
St. Jude offers a range of benefits, professional growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment. Perks include comprehensive healthcare, competitive salary, education support, work-life balance, and relocation assistance where applicable. There are strong opportunities for career development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Compensation
A reasonable salary range for the Wet Lab Scientist – Ligand Discovery role is $86,320 to $154,960 per year. This estimate reflects pay transparency practices and may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications. St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No search firms please. Applications from all qualified individuals are welcome.
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Join an excellent team of researchers dedicated to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The QAI4Bio (Quantum AI for Biology) Lab seeks a wet lab Scientist with experience in ligand discovery to contribute to drug discovery projects. Our group develops computational methods for ligand discovery and includes a wet lab for experimental validation of computational predictions. As a wet lab Scientist, you will contribute to the experimental validation of protein–ligand interactions, targeting proteins related to epigenetic regulation, cancer, and aging. You will produce high-quality proteins, design and perform binding assays using biophysical methods (SPR, MST, ITC, BLI) or fluorescence-based methods (FP, TR-FRET), and optimize workflows for ligand discovery. Depending on your skills, you may also participate in structural studies (NMR, X-ray, cryo-EM) using core facilities at St. Jude. You will also be the first full-time member of the wet lab, with collaboration alongside the computational and other wet-lab teams. In this role you will have opportunities to lead collaborative projects, mentor junior scientists and students, and contribute to high-impact publications. Collaboration with computational and wet-lab colleagues will be essential to validate predicted hits and lead compounds. You will contribute to multiple ligand/discovery projects and help advance pediatric research. Job Responsibilities
Leading the wet lab experiments for ligand/drug discovery projects with minimal to moderate supervision. Protein production: Express and purify target proteins (primarily bacterial expression systems; insect or mammalian systems as needed) and ensure quality for downstream studies. Binding assays: Design and execute ligand-binding experiments, focusing on biophysical and fluorescence-based assays; include cell-based assays when appropriate; optimize conditions for robust results. Wet lab leadership/management: Manage day-to-day wet lab operations, mentor/train team members, and oversee equipment maintenance and reagent inventory. Data handling: Identify, organize, summarize, review, and report relevant data. Cross-functional collaboration: Work with computational team members who identify hits and leads computationally. Dissemination: Prepare and contribute to manuscripts (under PI supervision) for publication and presentation of findings. Interdepartmental collaboration: Foster interdisciplinary approaches to solve scientific challenges. Communication: Present research findings to internal and external audiences to advance pediatric research goals. Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific area required. Eight (8) years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's degree; six (6) years with a Master’s degree; three (3) years with a PhD. About St. Jude
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other childhood diseases. It is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted to children. Our faculty collaborate across basic, translational, clinical, and population science in a multidisciplinary environment. What We Will Offer You
St. Jude offers a range of benefits, professional growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment. Perks include comprehensive healthcare, competitive salary, education support, work-life balance, and relocation assistance where applicable. There are strong opportunities for career development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Compensation
A reasonable salary range for the Wet Lab Scientist – Ligand Discovery role is $86,320 to $154,960 per year. This estimate reflects pay transparency practices and may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications. St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No search firms please. Applications from all qualified individuals are welcome.
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