Postdoctoral Research Associate - Cell & Molecular Biology

About the Role

The Opferman Laboratory at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate how mitochondrial biology and the BCL-2 family protein MCL-1 govern normal hematopoiesis, stem cell maintenance, lineage commitment, and cellular stress responses, and how these pathways become dysregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other hematologic malignancies.

Our laboratory integrates molecular and cellular biology, mouse genetics, biochemistry, cancer biology, metabolism, epigenetics, genomics, proteomics, and advanced imaging to address fundamental questions in stem cell and cancer biology. Current projects explore:

• Non-apoptotic functions of MCL-1
• Mitochondrial metabolism and quality control
• Mechanisms regulating hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation
• Metabolic and epigenetic pathways that drive leukemic stem cell maintenance and therapeutic resistance

The overarching goal of our research is to define fundamental biological mechanisms that can be leveraged to develop more effective therapies for hematologic diseases.

About the Institution

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,” and is located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food, and culture.

Benefits

• A Blend of Academic Freedom and Industrial Efficiency: Access to shared resources and facilities led by expert scientists, coupled with cutting-edge technology, accelerates research productivity.
• Customized Professional and Career Growth: Experience specifically designed programs to enhance professional growth and career readiness, including:
  • Grant writing workshops
  • Individual development plans
  • Teaching and mentoring opportunities
  • Non-research career advancement programs
  • Professional development allowance
• Competitive Compensation: Starting salary of $72,500 a year, comprehensive benefits, and generous relocation assistance.
• A Sense of Community: A vibrant postdoc community that supports a well-balanced life, promoting connections and camaraderie among postdocs from all backgrounds.