Job Description

Overview

Join an excellent team of researchers dedicated to coming closer to the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, that no child will die at the dawn of life. The Computational and Structural Biology Center (CSBC) in the Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Discovery (C3D) of the Department of Structural Biology seeks a skilled and highly motivated Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist. The CSBC is the collaborative interface of the C3D, working with St. Jude researchers campus-wide to disseminate and implement the computational technological developments of the C3D.

As a Senior Computational Researcher (S18) or Computational Research Scientist (S19) in the CSBC, you will play a pivotal role in the ligand discovery team, led by Dr. Christoph Gorgulla. You will be the first team member in the CSBC focused on ligand discovery, joining a team of dedicated computational researchers with diverse expertise ranging from structural bioinformatics to machine learning and AI. Your primary mission will be to work with other groups and researchers across St. Jude to implement our technologies to identify novel hit/lead compounds for the treatment of various diseases. You will work with them to optimize any results, working to obtain new tool compounds and drug candidates. Leveraging state-of-the-art computational methods, including structure-based ultra-large virtual screenings, (quantum and classical) free energy simulations, and machine-learning techniques, you will contribute to groundbreaking research in the field. The primary ligand discovery platform that we will be using is the VirtualFlow ultra-large virtual screening platform.

Collaboration is at the heart of this role, and you will closely collaborate with other computational and wet lab colleagues who validate and experimentally verify the predicted hit and lead compounds. By working together in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a large number of ligand/drug discovery projects and make a lasting impact on the lives of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead collaborative projects, mentor junior scientists and students, and contribute to high-impact publications.

Senior Computational Researcher Requirements

Job Responsibilities:

• Perform analyses using existing, modified, or newly developed tools/methods.
• Set up tools, and troubleshoot analyses using new or modified computational research techniques.
• Identify data pertinent to the analysis problem; process, organize, and summarize data; report results.
• Assist in the drafting and editing of manuscripts.
• Provide guidance to entry-level employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelors in bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum Requirement: Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience Exception: Master's degree and 1+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading and supporting computational research.
• Some experience in research support activities.
• Proven performance in earlier role/ comparable role.

Computational Research Scientist

The Computational Research Scientist is responsible for leading and performing computational research projects under moderate supervision.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead computationally focused scientific research projects with moderate supervision from their PI.
• Provide inputs regarding analytical approaches, set up analyses, and can develop new computational research methods with input from PI.
• Identify, process, organize, summarize, review, and report relevant data.
• Draft a manuscript and work through the submission and review process with input from the PI, as directed.
• Instruct and provide guidance to other staff in basic computational research techniques and procedures.
• (In the case of recent Ph.D. graduates, this position can be considered equivalent to a mentored postdoctoral position.)
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, or related field required.
• Master's degree or PhD preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum Requirement: Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience Exception: Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience (OR) PhD with no experience.
• Rough criteria for this position based on publication output: 1-2 first author papers IF >5 (or equivalent contribution to other research outputs).
• Prior experience in computational research techniques preferred.
• Experience in project coordination, maintenance, and other research support activities preferred.

About St. Jude

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". St. Jude is one of the best-funded research institutes in the US with an annual budget of over $2 billion per year.

What We Will Offer You

Working at St. Jude is a remarkable experience in many ways, and you will be provided with many special perks.

• Mission and Purpose: At St. Jude, working is more than just a job - it's a calling. Each member of St. Jude is united by a shared purpose: finding cures and saving children. In addition to the meaningful work you will undertake, we offer a range of perks to enhance your experience.
• Community and Belonging: St. Jude is like a warm family that welcomes you, to a large part because it is a Children's hospital.
• The Best of Both Worlds - Industry and Academia: St. Jude provides academic freedom in research and industrial efficiency and resources. We have access to world-class shared resources/facilities led by expert scientists, coupled with state-of-the-art technology and funding, accelerating research productivity.
• World-Class Benefits: St. Jude offers a world-class benefits package ( Enjoy comprehensive healthcare, a competitive salary, tuition assistance for continued education, and exceptional work-life balance with ample paid time off.
• Professional Growth: You will have access to opportunities to enhance your professional growth in terms of scientific skills, soft skills, and your career (St. Jude has well defined career path).
• Diversity: St. Jude is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse scientific community, where everyone's contributions are valued. More information is available here.
• Competitive Compensation: Embark on your journey with a competitive salary (depending on experience) comprehensive benefits and generous relocation assistance, reflecting our commitment to recognize and invest in talent. Furthermore, in Memphis/Tennessee, there is no income tax.
• Top Employer: St. Jude was among the top 10 large employers in the US in 2024, ahead of Google, Microsoft and Apple: . Top Employer for Women: St. Jude is also among the top 10 employers for women in the US: . St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is high school and college students' top "dream employer," according to the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) 2018 Career Interest Survey.
• Personalized Guidance: Dr. Gorgulla is committed to providing hands-on mentorship tailored to your needs and career aspirations. Whether you are refining scientific techniques or soft skills, you will have his full support.
• Modern Buildings and Spaces: Our research group and wet lab is located in the newest building of the compus, the Inspiration 4 - Advanced Research Center, that cost of $400 million to construct.
• Additional Perks: St. Jude offers many special perks, such as an on-site gym, an employee pharmacy, and many others. To learn more about the unexpected perks of working at St. Jude, visit our website at

About Memphis

St. Jude is located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food, and culture. Living in Memphis provides several unique advantages, including:

• Breathtaking Nature: Memphis provides unique nature and scenery, such as the Mississippi (the largest river in the US) or Shelby Farms Park, with which 4,500 acres is one of the largest urban parks in the country.
• Its Culture: It is for instance the home of Elvis Presley.
• It's Affordability: Memphis is one of the most affordable cities in the US, meaning the same income will bring you farther than in other places in the US.

For a video with testimonials about how new St. Jude members experienced Memphis, see here:

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 $78,000 - $139,360 per year for the role of Senior Computational Researcher Drug Discovery or Computational Research Scientist.

Explore our exceptional benefits !

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.

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