Postdoctoral Research Associate - Structural Biology - Sun lab

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Lauderdale Courts (TN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital invites a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the Sun lab in the Department of Structural Biology.

The project emphasizes structure-based drug discovery and leverages state-of-the-art cryo-EM facilities in a collaborative, well-resourced environment. Responsibilities include designing and executing experiments in structural biology, biochemistry and cell biology, expressing/purifying protein complexes, cryo-EM data collection and analysis, and

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry/structural biology/related field.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Strong publication record with at least one first-author paper.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments in structural biology, biochemistry, and cell biology.
• Perform protein complex expression/purification (mammalian and insect systems), cryo-EM sample prep, data collection, and structure determination.
• Conduct functional assays in mammalian cells and animal models to study pharmacology of novel small molecules.
• Rapidly learn and integrate new techniques as the project evolves.
• Maintain detailed records, analyze data, and present results at lab meetings and conferences.
• Collaborate with team members and external collaborators while taking ownership of sub-projects.

Skills

Independent researcher

Team player

Strong publication record

Excellent communication

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Structural Biology or related field

Tools

Cryo-EM

Protein expression

Protein purification

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative postdoctoral fellow to join the Sun lab in the Department of Structural Biology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The project focuses on structure-based drug discovery projects in the lab. This is an exceptional opportunity to work at the forefront of structural biology and drug discovery in a highly collaborative, well-resourced environment with access to state-of-the‑art cryo-EM facilities.

Job Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments in structural biology, biochemistry, and cell biology
• Perform protein complex expression/purification (mammalian and insect systems), cryo-EM sample preparation, data collection, and high-resolution structure determination to understand the working mechanism of small molecules
• Conduct functional assays in mammalian cells and animal models to study pharmacology of novel small molecules
• Rapidly learn and integrate new techniques as the project evolves
• Maintain detailed records, analyze data, prepare manuscripts, and present results at lab meetings and scientific conferences
• Work collaboratively with team members and external collaborators while taking ownership of sub-projects

Minimum Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, pharmacology, chemical biology or a closely related field
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong publication record with at least one first-author paper in a peer-reviewed journal

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior hands‑on experience with single-particle cryo-EM (sample prep, data processing, model building) is a plus
• Expertise in protein expression/purification
• Background in chemical biology will be a plus
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Enthusiasm for mentoring junior lab members and contributing to a positive, supportive lab culture

What We Offer

St. Jude offers one of the most generous and comprehensive postdoctoral packages in the industry.

• competitive salary (paid at or above national postdoctoral scales)
• full benefits (healthcare with minimal or no premiums)
• retirement contributions
• paid parental leave
• tuition reimbursement
• relocation support

You will have access to world‑class core facilities (Cryo-EM Center, Protein Production, Cell & Tissue Imaging, etc.), unlimited computational resources, and dedicated professional development funding.

St. Jude is consistently ranked among Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" and is a top destination for postdoctoral training.

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.

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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