The Wlodarski Laboratory is seeking talented and enthusiastic candidates for our Lead Researcher or Scientist opportunity to take a key role in our Blue-Sky funded project PARADIGM.

St. Jude has launched a new initiative, the partnership to advance the development of individualized genomic medicines (PARADIGM), to directly address blood disorders caused by rare genetic mutations, with the long-term goal of developing individualized genome-editing medicines to cure inherited monogenic bone marrow failure (BMF) disorders. The goal is to establish a scalable platform to create bespoke gene editing therapies for these patients whose disorders are otherwise incurable.

PARADIGM will be led by experts in bone marrow failure syndromes, hematology and genome editing: Mitchell Weiss, MD, PhD; Shengdar Tsai, PhD; Marcin Wlodarski, MD, PhD; and Senthil Bhoopalan, MBBS, PhD, all of the St. Jude Department of Hematology.

PARADIGM, supported by $5 million in institutional Blue Sky funding, aims to develop novel genome editing tools and establish preclinical models to test safety and efficacy of genome editors to cure BMF disorders.

Dr. Marcin Wlodarski, MD, PhD is co-lead of the PARADIGM project and the director of the Bone Marrow Failure Program (BMF). He is a world-leading expert in inherited bone marrow failure disorders (focusing on SAMD9/SAMD9L and GATA2 mutations) and his highly productive and collaborative lab (Hyperlink Wlodarski lab) continues to advance the field as documented by their recent discovery of a new genetic disorder caused by mutations in a the RPA1 gene.

The ideal candidate demonstrate expertise in the following:

• Strong molecular biology skills including DNA/RNA/protein extraction, PCR, cloning, sequencing, cell culture, etc. These core lab techniques will be needed on a regular basis.
• Experience with techniques specifically relevant to hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow failure disorders. This could include flow cytometry, colony forming unit assays, engraftment studies in model organisms, etc. Directly relevant experience is required.
• Hands-on experience with gene editing. The role involves directly working on gene editing experiments
• Attention to detail and ability to carefully follow protocols. Gene editing work requires meticulous technique and record keeping.
• Understanding of ethical considerations for human gene editing research.

Job Responsibilities:

• Experimental development of gene-based therapies (base and prime editing) to correct patient mutations.
• Isolation and expansion of hematopoietic cells.
• Create cell lines and inducible pluripotent stem cell lines with mutations of interest.
• Establish genetic readouts (deep sequencing, whole genome sequencing, single cell sequencing).
• Establish functional readouts (proliferation, apoptosis, hematopoietic differentiation).
• In vitro and xenotransplantation assays using human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells.
• Interact and collaborate with multidisciplinary team to advance the program.
• Interact with collaborators within the department and internationally.
• Will be able to participate in training courses nationally and internationally.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required

Lead Researcher

Minimum Experience:

• Five (5) years of relevant, post-degree work experience is required
• Two (2) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a Master's degree
• No experience is required with a PHD

Scientist

Minimum Experience:

• Seven (7) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required
• Five (5) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a Master's degree
• Three (3) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a PhD

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with gene editing in actual hematopoietic stem cells. Not required but direct experience is a plus.
• Proficiency with analysis programs like FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, etc. Useful for analyzing experimental results.
• Experience with R studio, Python would be helpful.
• Strong communication, collaboration and organizational skills. Important for working in a team environment.
• Relevant degree and publications. Demonstrates research background and productivity.

Other Information

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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