Scientist / Associate Scientist – Preclinical Design & Development (PDD) Core

Join our Team!

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The Preclinical Design and Development (PDD) Core within the Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a rigorous, execution-focused Scientist with a strong background in patient-derived cell model development, high-throughput screening, and RNA biology. The candidate will execute cellular RNA-therapeutic evaluation workflows across a portfolio of cases with diverse genomic underpinnings. This is an exciting opportunity for a scientist seeking a team-based, project-driven role at a leading research institution.

The PDD core advances mutation-specific antisense therapies for children with ultra-rare and even one-of-a-kind (n-of-1) genetic conditions. Working at the cutting edge of precision genomics and translational medicine, the goal is to move rapidly from a child’s genetic diagnosis to a potential therapeutic candidate, with rigor, urgency, and purpose.

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is a skilled molecular biologist with expertise in plate-based cellular screening workflows and working knowledge of splicing/RNA biology. We are looking for a collaborative, methodical scientist who is self-directed and at ease with the iterative, fast-paced nature of translational work.

Preferred Qualifications and Attributes:

• Experience with plate-based molecular screening workflows and quantitative nucleic acid assays (RT-qPCR, ddPCR); familiarity with isoform-discriminating or allele-specific probe design is preferred.

• Working knowledge of RNA biology, particularly pre-mRNA splicing, and comfort interpreting molecular readouts in a therapeutic context.

• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture, including complex or patient-derived cellular models.

• Ability to manage and execute multi-step experimental workflows across parallel projects with consistency and rigor.

• Comfort adapting established protocols to new cellular contexts and working through scientific uncertainty iteratively.

• Team-first orientation and comfort with flexible, pipeline-driven translational work.

What You Will Do

• Design and execute cell-based therapeutic evaluation workflows and validation pipelines with high rigor across concurrent patient cases.

• Derive, characterize, and bank patient-specific cellular models to enable screening and functional validation.

• Design and validate quantitative molecular assays (RT-qPCR, ddPCR) and perform biochemical and imaging-based readouts to evaluate therapeutic efficacy.