Postdoctoral Research Associate - Structural Biology - Sun lab

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative postdoctoral fellow to join the Sun lab in the Department of Structural Biology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The project focuses on structure-based drug discovery projects in the lab. This is an exceptional opportunity to work at the forefront of structural biology and drug discovery in a highly collaborative, well-resourced environment with access to state-of-the-art cryo-EM facilities.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments in structural biology, biochemistry, and cell biology
• Perform protein complex expression/purification (mammalian and insect systems), cryo-EM sample preparation, data collection, and high-resolution structure determination to understand the working mechanism of small molecules
• Conduct functional assays in mammalian cells and animal models to study pharmacology of novel small molecules
• Rapidly learn and integrate new techniques as the project evolves
• Maintain detailed records, analyze data, prepare manuscripts, and present results at lab meetings and scientific conferences
• Work collaboratively with team members and external collaborators while taking ownership of sub-projects

Requirements

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, pharmacology, chemical biology or a closely related field
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong publication record with at least one first-author paper in a peer-reviewed journal

Preferred qualifications

• Prior hands-on experience with single-particle cryo-EM (sample prep, data processing, model building)
• Expertise in protein expression/purification
• Background in chemical biology
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Enthusiasm for mentoring junior lab members and contributing to a positive, supportive lab culture

Benefits

St. Jude offers one of the most generous and comprehensive postdoctoral packages in the industry. This includes competitive salary (paid at or above national postdoctoral scales), full benefits (healthcare with minimal or no premiums), retirement contributions, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and relocation support. You will have access to world-class core facilities (Cryo-EM Center, Protein Production, Cell & Tissue Imaging, etc.), unlimited computational resources, and dedicated professional development funding. St. Jude is consistently ranked among Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” and is a top destination for postdoctoral training.