Postdoctoral Research Associate - Structural Biology - Sun lab

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc.; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Full benefits

Retirement contributions

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation support

Core facilities access

Unlimited computational resources

Professional development funding

Job summary

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc.

in Memphis invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow in the Sun Lab of the Department of Structural Biology to advance structure-based drug discovery using cryo-EM and related biochemical approaches. The role involves independently designing and executing experiments, protein expression/purification, cryo-EM data collection and analysis, and functional assays in cells and animal models, with opportunities to mentor junior team members and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, pharmacology, chemical biology or 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.

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.

Skills

Publications

Teamwork

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, pharmacology, chemical biology or related field

Tools

Cryo-EM sample prep

Protein expression/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

• 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
• access to world‑class core facilities (Cryo‑EM Center, Protein Production, Cell & Tissue Imaging, etc.)
• unlimited computational resources
• 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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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.