Director of Scientific Research, Single-molecule Imaging Center

About the role

The Department of Structural Biology at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital is seeking to hire a Director of the Single-Molecule imaging Center (SMC) to lead an interdisciplinary team, whose backgrounds span computer science, engineering, applied math, biophysics and biology, to advance the frontiers of single-molecule research while also implementing focused strategies to work with non-experts seeking to incorporate single-molecule methods into their discovery pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Direct Center activity on a day-to-day basis to ensure staff are efficiently tasked, instruments are properly functioning and correctly utilized, and data is appropriately managed.
• Lead the planning and implementation of experimental strategies and next generation instruments to ensure the Center stays at the technological frontier.
• Oversee and contribute to the development of software tools for instrument control, data analysis, and project management, pursuing continued technical advances while ensuring seamless operations.
• Lead high-impact collaborations with laboratories at St Jude to leverage single-molecule methods for investigations of diverse biological systems with scientists who may not have previous experience.
• Lead internal projects that advance the state-of-the-art methods enabling single-molecule research, including the design of new instrumentation that implements innovations in surface chemistry, fluorophore engineering, optical treatments, microfluidic strategies, camera technologies, software developments, and algorithms for robust analyses.
• Serve as manager for SMC staff members with diverse technical backgrounds.
• Participate and contribute to seminars and conferences to present research findings, keep up-to-date on scientific research and emerging imaging technologies, disseminate knowledge about single-molecule methods and quantitation, and recruit talent to the SMC and St. Jude.

Requirements

• Minimum Education and/or Training: Bachelor’s degree in relevant scientific discipline is required. 10+ years of experience in relevant technical field (industry or academia) is required with a Bachelor's degree. 8+ years of experience in relevant technical field is required with a Master’s degree. 5+ years of experience in relevant technical field is required with a Ph.D.
• Significant experience in a research functional area with experience managing mid-large teams in a leadership capacity with focus on both achievement of objectives as well as critical skill-building preferred.
• Experience having led large-scale projects/processes through to implementation preferred.
• Experience with operational management, budget planning, and stakeholder and resource management preferred.
• Prior experience in building external connections with peers, emerging technology communities, and expert networks preferred.
• Experience driving research objectives across area through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders preferred.
• Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physical sciences (physics, biology, computer science, etc.) with 10 years post-graduate experience.
• Strong publication record demonstrating the power of single-molecule research to solve important questions in biology and/or medicine.
• Experience building and maintaining custom single-molecule platforms.
• Software engineering experience with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, and C++.
• Experience with version control and issue tracking with GitHub.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage and mentor a diverse team.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of single-molecule fluorescence microscopy methods.
• Experience with customizing and building single-molecule instrumentation.
• Experience with software development and data analysis.

Benefits

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, financial security, retirement plan, living well - employee wellness program, time off programs, educational benefits, family friendly benefits, and benefits unique to St. Jude.