Postdoctoral Research Fellow — Clonal Evolution and Genome Engineering in Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Disorders

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc.; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 62,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate to study clonal evolution and leukemic transformation in inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, focusing on Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. The Kennedy Lab leverages patient samples, iPSC models, CRISPR/base-editing screens and single-cell genomics.

The position provides access to a clinical bone marrow failure program and a collaborative, translational environment within Memphis, Tennessee.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in hematology, cancer biology, genetics, genome engineering, immunology, or related field.
• First-author publication (published or in press).
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, cloning, qPCR, flow cytometry, Western blot, scRNA-seq, basic biochemistry.
• Quantitative data analysis and clear scientific writing.
• Able to work independently and with a team.
• Preferred: CRISPR/Cas9 or base/prime editing including guide design and outcome analysis.
• Primary hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell culture, CD34+ work, or xenotransplantation/murine models.
• NGS analysis experience (scRNA-seq, targeted sequencing, WES/WGS) and R/Python fluency.

Responsibilities

• Study clonal evolution and leukemic transformation in SDS using patient samples, iPSC models, CRISPR screens, and single-cell genomics.
• Work with a clinical bone marrow failure program and multidisciplinary teams.
• Analyze data and contribute to publications and presentations.
• Collaborate to translate findings toward therapeutic genome editing approaches.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Cloning

qPCR

Flow cytometry

Western blot

scRNA-seq

Single-cell genomics

CRISPR/Cas9 editing

Base editing / Prime editing

CD34+ hematopoietic cells

NGS data analysis (scRNA-seq/WES/WGS)

R / Python (data analysis)

First-author publication

Education

PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in hematology, cancer biology, genetics, genome engineering, immunology, or related field

Tools

CRISPR design tools

Job description

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the lab of Alyssa Kennedy. We are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to study the mechanisms of clonal evolution and leukemic transformation in inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, with a focus on Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS). The lab studies how somatic adaptation shapes disease trajectory, why certain clones are compensatory while others are pre-malignant, and whether therapeutic genome editing can shift that balance. Projects span primary patient samples, iPSC cell line models, CRISPR/base-editing screens, and single-cell genomics, with direct access to a clinical bone marrow failure program.

Qualifications Required

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD (or expected within six months) in hematology, cancer biology, genetics, genome engineering, immunology, or a related field
• Track record of productivity, including at least one first-author publication (published or in press)
• Hands-on experience and expertise with molecular and cell biology methods: mammalian cell culture, cloning, qPCR, flow cytometry, Western blot, single cell RNA sequencing, basic biochemistry
• Comfort with quantitative data analysis and clear scientific writing
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Preferred: CRISPR/Cas9 or base/prime editing experience, including guide design and editing outcome analysis
• Primary hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell culture, CD34+ work, or prior work with xenotransplantation/murine models
• NGS analysis experience (scRNA-seq, targeted error-corrected sequencing, WES/WGS) and fluency in R or Python

About the Kennedy Lab and St. Jude

The Kennedy lab is a dedicated group of curious scientists focused on transforming the care of children with bone marrow failure and leukemia. We welcome learners and curious minds to join our team. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. The first and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Our 300 faculty work across the spectrum of basic, translational, clinical, and population science in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment that includes a Nobel laureate and members of the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Medicine. St. Jude is ranked on Fortune Magazine’s “Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma” and Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work,” and is located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food and culture. We are in pursuit of the brightest minds in biomedical sciences, individuals poised to contribute to our research progress.

What you will have

• A Blend of Academic Freedom and Industrial Efficiency: Access to shared resources and facilities led by expert scientists, coupled with cutting-edge technology, accelerates research productivity.
• Customized Professional and Career Growth: Experience specifically designed programs to enhance professional growth and career readiness empowering postdocs for success beyond their training. This includes access to grant writing workshops, individual development plans, teaching and mentoring opportunities, non-research career advancement programs, professional development allowance, and so much more.
• Competitive Compensation: Embark on your journey with a competitive salary starting at $72,500 a year, comprehensive benefits and generous relocation assistance, reflecting our commitment to recognize and invest in talent.
• A Sense of Community: St. Jude fosters a vibrant postdoc community that supports a well-balanced life. A dynamic environment promotes connections and camaraderie among postdocs from all backgrounds.
• 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. 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.