Senior Research Technician

The World’s Brightest Minds Always Innovate

At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we know what can be achieved when the brightest scientific minds face the fewest barriers. That’s why we provide world-class facilities. State-of-the-art technologies. Extraordinary support. And a collaborative, bench-to-bedside environment where you can see, firsthand, how your science translates into survival for the children we serve. Quite simply, at St. Jude, we encourage you to dream big, and we give you everything you need to be the force behind our cures.

Senior Research Technician

Memphis, TN

A Senior Research Technician position to study the molecular and cellular mechanism of brain development and cancer is available immediately at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, USA. The neocortex, the seat of complex behavior, cognition, and intellect, is tremendously expanded and folded in certain mammals including humans. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this neocortical expansion and folding (gyrencephaly). We have generated the first transgenic murine model that develops folded neocortex with anatomical and developmental hallmarks of gyrencephalic brains (Wang et al., Nature Neuroscience, 2016) and identified several candidate genes that play key roles in expansion and folding of the neocortex. We also use human cerebral organoids and other gyrencephalic model organisms to extend our findings in murine models to naturally gyrencephalic species. We seek a candidate who will participate in studying the function of these candidates in neocortical expansion and folding.

Another research focus is the function of primary cilia and Hedgehog signaling in cancer. Primary cilia play critical roles in multiple signaling pathways and cell cycle progression. We have shown that primary cilia can either promote or prevent cancer depending on the initiating oncogenic mutation (Han et al., Nature Medicine 2009). Recently, we showed that Hedgehog signaling controls protein translation through an mTORC1/4EBP1-dependent pathway and mTORC1 can be targeted to treat medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain cancer (Wu et al., Dev Cell, 2017). Currently, we are investigating the molecular and cellular mechanism of ciliary function in medulloblastoma and the function of translational targets of Hedgehog signaling in medulloblastoma.

Highly motivated individuals who have a strong background and interest in the cellular and molecular mechanism of development and cancer are encouraged to apply. The successful candidates will have experience with biochemistry, molecular biology, imaging, mammalian cell culture, and transgenic/knockout murine models. The Senior Research Technician also maintains efficient laboratory operations.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field is required

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years total work experience as a SJCRH Research Technician or three (3) years relevant post-degree experience in a similar research environment is required with a Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of two (2) years total work experience as a SJCRH Research Technician or two (2) years relevant post-degree experience in a similar research environment is required with a Master's degree.
• No experience is required with a PhD in a related field.

Ready to join a team that is always innovating, because we believe anything is possible?

Apply now at: https://bit.ly/2Ayasbk

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. Jude does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, genetic information, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, veteran’s status or disabled veteran’s status with respect to employment opportunities.  All qualified applicants will be considered for employment.  St. Jude engages in affirmative action to increase employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities.