Scientist/Sr Scientist- Immunology

We are seeking a highly collaborative Scientist or Sr. Scientist in spatial metabolomics and immunophenotyping to join the Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The successful candidate will oversee the day-to-day operations, instrument maintenance, method development, and user training for cutting-edge MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) platform. This role is uniquely positioned at the intersection of immunology, metabolism, and spatial biology. The primary responsibility centers on optimizing MALDI-MSI tissue workflows, including instrument purchase and management, method development, sample preparation, data acquisition, and data analysis.

Additionally, the scientist will also play a pivotal role in collaborating with other cores and shared resources to integrate spatial metabolomics datasets with high-dimensional data acquired from additional platforms such as spatial transcriptomics and proteomics (multi-omics) platforms. As a key technical consultant for collaborations with principal investigators and/or lab personnel, the scientist will help them design well-powered spatial immunology experiments and provide support for grant and paper preparations.

The ideal candidate should have extensive hands-on experience in operating and troubleshooting MSI instrumentation, familiarity with MSI data analysis, computational methodologies and integrative analysis of MSI and other high-dimensional datasets (e.g., spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed antibody imaging), and a strong understanding of immune or cancer metabolism, particularly in tissue-specific contexts.

As the scientific lead for the spatial metabolomics platform, you will:

•  Develop, execute, and oversee specialized methods for mapping metabolites, lipids, proteins/peptides, and other small molecules in diverse immune and tumor microenvironments.

• Oversee daily operations, calibration, optimization, and routine maintenance of core MALDI/DESI imaging mass spectrometers.

• Analyze complex spatial metabolomics and related datasets, integrate them with multi‑omics datasets (e.g., spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed antibody imaging) as needed, and interpret tissue features and biological insights.

• Coordinate multiple aspects of research projects and execute laboratory experiments utilizing appropriate laboratory techniques, tools, and methods.

• Provide inputs regarding research protocols and experiments, set up protocols, and assist in developing new laboratory techniques as required.

• Identify, process, organize, summarize, review, and report relevant experimental data.

• Draft sections of research manuscripts and grants as directed.

• Support monitoring and stocking of supplies, and calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and purchase of equipment within the area. Instruct other staff in basic laboratory techniques and procedures.

• Design, troubleshoot, and refine experimental approaches to answer critical research questions.

• Process, organize, and analyze complex datasets, providing detailed reports on findings

• Provide technical support for ongoing projects, including maintaining datasets, lab documentation, and compliance with safety regulations.

• Engage in collaborative research projects with internal and external teams to advance research and translation in immunology.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required

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

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

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer