Scientist / Sr. Scientist —Cell, Molecular & Chemical Biology (Taosheng Chen Lab)

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 stop at nothing when it comes to finding cures and saving children.

The Taosheng Chen Lab within our  Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics is seeking a collaborative and innovative Scientist or Senior Scientist with expertise in cell biology, molecular biology, and/or chemical biology to lead research efforts to develop and characterize the mechanisms of action of novel chemical probes—including agonists, antagonists, and degraders—targeting the nuclear receptors PXR and CAR.

The successful candidate will independently design and execute studies, generate high-quality datasets to test scientific hypotheses, and integrate findings across multiple disciplines. The candidate will work closely with in-house structural biologists and medicinal chemists to generate complementary data and advance projects, and will take a leading role in organizing and writing multidisciplinary manuscripts.

The Chen Laboratory leverages multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the chemical regulation of nuclear receptors, with the overarching goal of elucidating nuclear receptor-driven transcriptional networks and developing innovative therapeutic strategies to combat drug resistance and tumorigenesis. Using integrated cellular, molecular, and chemical biology approaches, our research is closely aligned with structural biology and medicinal chemistry, enabling the successful execution of high-impact, collaborative studies. This synergistic framework has led to publications in leading journals, including Nature Communications (2017, 2024, 2025) and PNAS (2023), highlighting our contributions to advancing the understanding and therapeutic targeting of nuclear receptor signaling.

The successful candidate will have a strong track record of high-quality research and publication in peer-reviewed journals. Relevant experience should include several of the following:

• DNA: cloning, plasmid construction, and related molecular biology techniques

• RNA: RNA isolation, gene expression analysis, and transcriptional profiling

• Proteins: Western blotting, protein–compound interactions, protein–protein interactions, and/or proteomic profiling

• Small molecules: experience evaluating the cellular activity, mechanism of action, and/or pharmacology of small-molecule compounds

• Structural biology: a basic understanding of protein crystal structures and ligand–protein interactions is essential for effective collaboration with structural biologists

• Medicinal chemistry: a basic understanding of small-molecule structures and structure–activity relationships is important for meaningful collaboration with medicinal chemists

• Murine studies experience is a plus

Candidate Profile Priorities

Our search will focus on candidates with:

• Strong cell and molecular biology expertise with exposure to chemical biology

• Experience evaluating small-molecule mechanisms of action

• An understanding of structural biology and medicinal chemistry concepts

• A demonstrated record of impactful publications, particularly in high-quality journals

• Academic and industry backgrounds will both be considered

Research Focus & Key Projects

The selected candidate will play a leading role in advancing the laboratory's efforts to understand and therapeutically target the nuclear receptors PXR and CAR through multidisciplinary approaches spanning cell biology, molecular biology, chemical biology, structural biology, and medicinal chemistry.

Current projects include:

• Developing and characterizing novel chemical probes, including agonists, antagonists, and degraders, targeting nuclear receptors.

• Investigating the mechanisms of action of small molecules and protein degraders, including PROTAC-based approaches.

• Defining how chemical modulation of PXR and CAR influences transcriptional networks, drug metabolism, chemotherapy response, and tumorigenesis.

• Collaborating with structural biologists to understand ligand-protein interactions and guide structure-based discovery efforts.

• Leading the integration of multidisciplinary findings into manuscripts, publications, and future grant-supported research initiatives.

Job Responsibilities:

• Conducts experiments/projects independently under overall direction of the PI and/or more senior scientist

• Develops new research protocols, techniques and procedures.

• Identifies experimental data pertinent to the analysis problem. Processes, organizes and summarizes data, reporting these experimental results. Monitors quality and integrity of recorded information and data. Ensures data collection and entry methods meet quality standards. Interprets data as it relates to research problem.

• May publish as co-author and/or draft sections of research manuscripts as necessary. Presents research to colleagues within the organization or at external meetings/events.

• Provides lab operation support and makes recommendations regarding equipment use and maintenance, supplies, etc. Troubleshoots instrument and equipment issues. Provides input into lab operation processes and procedures. Recommends equipment acquisition and decommissioning.

• Regularly trains and oversees the work of others in laboratory techniques and procedures.

• Performs other related duties as assigned in order to meet the goals of the department and institution.

• Maintains regular and predictable attendance

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required

• A PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, chemical biology, pharmacology, or a related field, together with productive postdoctoral research experience, is strongly preferred

Senior Scientist Minimum Experience:

• Ten (10) years relevant work experience is required

• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree

• Five (5) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $104,000 - $186,160 per year

Scientist Minimum Experience:

• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required

• Six (6) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree

• Three (3) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $86,320 - $154,960 per year

The selected candidate will be appointed at the Scientist or Sr. Scientist level, based on their experience, demonstrated scientific independence, technical expertise, and leadership achievements.

 

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 $104,000 - $186,160 per year for the role of Scientist / Sr. Scientist —Cell, Molecular & Chemical Biology (Taosheng Chen Lab).

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