Associate Scientist - Targeted Protein Degradation and Fetal Hemoglobin Induction

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc.; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 66,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking an Associate Scientist to join a multidisciplinary program focused on developing proteolysis-targeting strategies for HbF induction in sickle cell disease.

The role involves designing and evaluating PROTACs and molecular glue degraders in erythroid cells and mouse models, with close collaboration across chemists, biologists, and translational scientists. The successful candidate will contribute to discovery, characterization, and preclinical

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, pharmacology, or related field preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific area is required.
• Strong experimental background in mammalian cell culture and biochemical/cell-based assays.
• Experience with immunoblotting, flow cytometry, gene expression analysis, and protein characterization.
• Experience with high‑throughput experimentation.
• Proven ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze experiments.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, perform, optimize, and troubleshoot experiments to evaluate targeted protein degradation strategies for HbF induction.
• Characterize activity, selectivity, and mechanisms of action of PROTACs and molecular glue degraders.
• Evaluate candidate compounds in immortalized erythroid cell lines and primary human erythroblasts.
• Investigate target protein degradation, HbF induction, erythroid differentiation, and cellular responses.
• Contribute to preclinical evaluation in sickle cell disease mouse models.
• Develop and optimize new laboratory techniques and protocols.
• Collect, process, analyze, and interpret data; communicate findings to team.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and biologists on compound development and characterization.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Cellular assays

Immunoblotting

Flow cytometry

Gene expression analysis

High-throughput experimentation

Independent planning

Scientific problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

PhD preferred

Tools

Molecular biology assays

Preclinical mouse models

Translational drug discovery

Job description

The Associate Scientist performs a variety of moderately complex research tasks determined by the field and scope of the particular research project/study. Also, performs tasks related to the research project independently, but within broad guidelines and subject to periodic review by supervisor or other research staff.

The laboratory of Dr. Mitchell Weiss at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to join an innovative, multidisciplinary research program focused on developing novel therapeutic strategies for sickle cell disease through targeted protein degradation (TPD). This cutting-edge project builds upon our ongoing work developing cereblon (CRBN)-based molecular glues to induce fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and seeks to expand this approach by identifying and leveraging additional erythroid-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases. Our goal is to develop a diverse portfolio of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glue degraders that selectively eliminate negative regulators of HbF expression.

The successful candidate will contribute to the discovery, characterization, and preclinical evaluation of these targeted degraders using immortalized erythroid cell lines, primary human erythroblasts, and sickle cell disease mouse models, with the long-term objective of advancing promising therapeutic candidates toward clinical development. This position provides a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of erythroid biology, chemical biology, protein degradation, and translational therapeutics. The Associate Scientist will work closely with Senior Scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and cross-functional teams of medicinal chemists, molecular and cellular biologists, biochemists, and structural biologists in a highly collaborative, team-based research environment.

Key Research Responsibilities:

• Independently design, perform, optimize, and troubleshoot experiments to evaluate targeted protein degradation strategies for HbF induction.
• Characterize the activity, selectivity, and mechanisms of action of PROTACs and molecular glue degraders targeting negative regulators of HbF expression.
• Evaluate candidate compounds in immortalized erythroid cell lines and primary human erythroblast cultures using molecular, cellular, and biochemical assays.
• Investigate target protein degradation, HbF induction, erythroid differentiation, and relevant cellular responses.
• Contribute to preclinical evaluation of promising compounds in sickle cell disease mouse models.
• Develop and optimize new or modified laboratory techniques and experimental protocols.
• Independently collect, process, organize, analyze, and interpret experimental data, and communicate findings to the research team.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists, cell and molecular biologists, biochemists, and structural biologists to support compound development and mechanistic characterization.
• Assist in preparing scientific manuscripts, posters, presentations, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and research reports.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant scientific advances, methodologies, and technologies.
• Provide guidance and technical training to less‑experienced laboratory personnel and collaborators as appropriate.
• Support laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, calibration, inventory management, and ordering of supplies.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and institutional research objectives.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Qualifications and Experience:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology, or a related field is preferred.
• Strong experimental background in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, or cellular assays.
• Experience with techniques such as immunoblotting, flow cytometry, gene expression analysis, and protein characterization.
• Experience with high‑throughput experimentation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze experiments.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and scientific problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.
• Experience in erythroid biology, hemoglobin regulation, hematopoiesis, or sickle cell disease research is an advantage.
• Familiarity with targeted protein degradation technologies, including PROTACs, molecular glues, E3 ubiquitin ligases, and the ubiquitin‑proteasome system.
• Experience with primary human erythroid or hematopoietic cell cultures.
• Experience with preclinical mouse models or translational drug discovery research.
• Prior experience in erythroid biology or targeted protein degradation is a plus but is not essential.

Candidates with strong experimental skills, scientific curiosity, good communication skills, team spirit and a willingness to learn new techniques are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific area

Minimum Experience:

• 7 + years of research experience is required
• 5 + years of research experience is required with a Master’s degree
• 2 + years of research experience is required with a PhD
• Experience leading and supporting research experiments preferred
• Some experience leading lab and scientific project coordination, maintenance, and other research support activities preferred
• Experience in guiding and training other laboratory personnel preferred
• Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role

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 $65,520 - $114,400 per year for the role of Associate Scientist - Targeted Protein Degradation and Fetal Hemoglobin Induction.

Benefits:

Explore our exceptional benefits! We are committed to a human-centered hiring experience. Technology may support portions of our process, but recruiting decisions involve human review and engagement. Learn more about our approach to AI.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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.