We are seeking a highly collaborative Scientist or Sr. Scientist in spatial metabolomics and immunophenotyping to join the Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The successful candidate will oversee the day-to-day operations, instrument maintenance, method development, and user training for cutting-edge MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) platform. This role is uniquely positioned at the intersection of immunology, metabolism, and spatial biology. The primary responsibility centers on optimizing MALDI-MSI tissue workflows, including instrument purchase and management, method development, sample preparation, data acquisition, and data analysis.

Additionally, the scientist will also play a pivotal role in collaborating with other cores and shared resources to integrate spatial metabolomics datasets with high-dimensional data acquired from additional platforms such as spatial transcriptomics and proteomics (multi-omics) platforms. As a key technical consultant for collaborations with principal investigators and/or lab personnel, the scientist will help them design well-powered spatial immunology experiments and provide support for grant and paper preparations.

The ideal candidate should have extensive hands-on experience in operating and troubleshooting MSI instrumentation, familiarity with MSI data analysis, computational methodologies and integrative analysis of MSI and other high-dimensional datasets (e.g., spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed antibody imaging), and a strong understanding of immune or cancer metabolism, particularly in tissue-specific contexts.

As the scientific lead for the spatial metabolomics platform, you will:

• Develop, execute, and oversee specialized methods for mapping metabolites, lipids, proteins/peptides, and other small molecules in diverse immune and tumor microenvironments.
• Oversee daily operations, calibration, optimization, and routine maintenance of core MALDI/DESI imaging mass spectrometers.
• Analyze complex spatial metabolomics and related datasets, integrate them with multi-omics datasets (e.g., spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed antibody imaging) as needed, and interpret tissue features and biological insights.
• Coordinate multiple aspects of research projects and execute laboratory experiments utilizing appropriate laboratory techniques, tools, and methods.
• Provide inputs regarding research protocols and experiments, set up protocols, and assist in developing new laboratory techniques as required.
• Identify, process, organize, summarize, review, and report relevant experimental data.
• Draft sections of research manuscripts and grants as directed.
• Support monitoring and stocking of supplies, and calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and purchase of equipment within the area. Instruct other staff in basic laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Design, troubleshoot, and refine experimental approaches to answer critical research questions.
• Process, organize, and analyze complex datasets, providing detailed reports on findings
• Provide technical support for ongoing projects, including maintaining datasets, lab documentation, and compliance with safety regulations.
• Engage in collaborative research projects with internal and external teams to advance research and translation in immunology.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required

Senior Scientist Minimum Experience:

• Ten (10) years relevant work experience is required
• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree
• Five (5) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD

Scientist Minimum Experience:

• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required
• Six (6) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree
• Three (3) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD

Compensation
In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $104,000 - $186,160 per year for the role of Scientist/Sr Scientist- Immunology.

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