Scientist (and Wet Lab Lead) in Drug Discovery

Company:  Confidential

Job Title: Scientist (and Wet Lab Lead) in Drug Discovery

Job Number: 91194

Location: Memphis, US

Job Description

Institute: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Department: Structural Biology Department, Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Discovery
Location: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Type of Position: Scientist (wet lab), full-time
PI: Dr. Christoph Gorgulla ([Please click the Apply button for the link or email])

Position 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 QAI4Bio (Quantum AI for Biology) Lab led by Dr. Christoph Gorgulla within the Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Discovery in the Structural Biology Department seeks a skilled and highly motivated wet lab Scientist with experience in ligand discovery. Our research group is focused on developing state-of-the-art computational methods for ligand/drug discovery, using machine learning, high-performance/cloud computing, quantum chemistry and quantum computing. Our lab also includes a wet lab dedicated to experimentally verifying the computationally predicted results in real-world drug discovery projects.

As a (wet lab) Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in our team. This position is at the frontier of drug discovery, focusing on the experimental validation of protein-ligand interactions. We will be targeting proteins associated with a range of areas, including epigenetic regulation, cancer, and healthy aging/longevity. As the leader of our wet lab, you will play a critical role in advancing research efforts to uncover essential mechanisms in childhood diseases and potential therapeutic interventions. You will work on producing high-quality proteins, designing and performing binding assays by biophysical methods (SPR, MST, ITC, BLI) or Fluorescence-based (i.e. FP, TR-FRET) methods, and optimizing workflows for ligand discovery. Depending on your skills, you might also work on structural studies (NMR, X-ray, cryo-EM, …) and use the state-of-the-art core facilities and centers dedicated to structural studies at St. Jude (see also [Please click the Apply button for the link or email] and [Please click the Apply button for the link or email] for more information on our shared facilities).

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead collaborative projects, mentor junior scientists and students, and contribute to high-impact publications. Collaboration is at the heart of our work, and you will closely work with our computational and other wet-lab colleagues to 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 multiple ligand/drug discovery projects and make a lasting impact on the lives of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Preferred starting date: February-July 2025, but can be adjusted due to the needs of exceptional candidates.

Job Responsibilities

  • Leading the wet lab experiments of our ligand/drug discovery projects with minimal to moderate supervision.
    • Protein Production:
      • Express and purify target proteins of interest, predominantly using bacterial expression systems, and in cases needed insect, or mammalian systems.
      • Ensure production meets quality standards for downstream structural and functional studies.
    • Binding Assays:
      • Design and execute ligand-binding experiments, with a focus on biophysical assays and fluorescence-based assays, but also including cell-based assays.
      • Optimize assay conditions for robust and reproducible results.
    • Wet Lab Leadership:
      • Manage day-to-day operations of the wet lab.
      • Mentoring and training wet lab members, including postdocs, graduate students, and technicians.
      • Oversee equipment maintenance and inventory of reagents.
  • Identify, process, organize, summarize, review, and report relevant data.
  • Interacting with computational team members (who will mostly identify the hit and lead compounds computationally).
  • Manuscript preparation, submission, and the review process will be part of the responsibilities (under the supervision of the PI), ensuring that the lab’s findings are disseminated to the scientific community.
  • Actively collaborate with interdepartmental teams, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex scientific challenges.
  • Present research findings to internal and external audiences (e.g. conferences), contributing to the hospital’s mission of advancing pediatric research.

Minimum Education/Training

  • PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics or structural biology, drug discovery, or a related area.
  • The candidate should demonstrate an academic record of excellence and a strong interest in the fields of ligand and drug discovery.
  • Experience in ligand/drug discovery or structural biology is required. Interest in extending the candidate’s skill set in these areas would be valuable.

How to Apply

If you are interested in the above position, please send the following documents to Dr. Christoph Gorgulla:

  • Cover letter
  • CV
  • Names and contacts of at least three references (one should be your PhD advisor)

Please click the blue “Apply” button to get the email address of Dr. Gorgulla.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

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 ([Please click the Apply button for the link or email]).

Working at St. Jude is a remarkable and special experience in many ways.

  • Mission: 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. It provides an exceptionally warm and friendly atmosphere. St. Jude also fosters a vibrant scientist and postdoc community that supports a well-balanced life. A dynamic environment promotes connections and camaraderie among researchers from all backgrounds
  • 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.
  • Benefits: St. Jude offers a world-class benefits package ([Please click the Apply button for the link or email]). Enjoy comprehensive healthcare, a competitive salary, tuition assistance for continued education, and exceptional work-life balance with ample paid time off.
  • 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 [Please click the Apply button for the link or email]
  • Professional and Career Growth: Experience specifically designed programs to enhance professional growth and career readiness empowering postdocs for success beyond their training. This includes access to grant writing workshops, individual development plans, teaching and mentoring opportunities, non-research career advancement programs, professional development allowance, and so much more. More information can be found at [Please click the Apply button for the link or email]
  • Diversity: St. Jude is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse scientific community, where everyone’s contributions are valued. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has a diverse, global patient population and workforce, built on the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our founder Danny Thomas envisioned a hospital that would treat children of the world—regardless of race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay. Learn more about our history and commitment. Today, we continue the mission to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. As we accelerate this progress globally, we believe our legacy of diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to success. With the commitment of leaders at all levels of the organization, we strive to ensure the St. Jude culture, leadership approaches and talent processes are equitable and culturally responsive. More information is available [Please click the Apply button for the link or email].
  • 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:

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:

Application Deadline: 2025-02-05

 

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