Job Description

The dos Santos laboratory at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and collaborative entry-level researcher to support studies investigating cancer initiation and progression. The laboratory examines how genetic susceptibility, systemic physiological exposures, inflammation, aging, pregnancy, and the tissue microenvironment influence breast cancer initiation and progression. This is a grant funded opportunity.

The successful candidate will work closely with laboratory members to support preclinical studies, mammary organoid experiments, tissue processing, molecular and cellular assays, and the general operation of the laboratory. This position is well suited for a recent graduate seeking substantial research experience before pursuing graduate school, medical school, or another career in biomedical research.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with experiments involving genetically engineered murine models of mammary gland biology and breast cancer.
• Support the monitoring of cohorts, maintain accurate breeding and experimental records, and assist with genotyping and colony management.
• Administer experimental treatments and assist with tumor monitoring, tissue collection, and necropsies under established protocols.
• Record experimental procedures and results accurately in electronic laboratory notebooks and shared databases.
• Prepare reagents, buffers, media, and laboratory supplies and maintain appropriate inventories.
• Help ensure compliance with institutional biosafety, research model- care, and laboratory-safety requirements.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and contribute to a collaborative and supportive research environment.
• Perform additional research and laboratory-support activities as needed.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required

Minimum Experience:

• no experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with preclinical models.
• Familiarity with mammalian cell culture, organoid culture, tissue processing, microscopy, flow cytometry, or molecular-biology techniques.
• Experience with image-analysis or data-analysis programs such as Fiji/ImageJ, FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, or R.
• Interest in breast cancer biology, developmental biology, genetics, epithelial cell biology, or the tumor microenvironment.

Professional Development

The researcher will receive hands-on training in preclinical models, mammary organoid systems, tissue analysis, molecular and cellular biology, microscopy, and quantitative data analysis. The individual will work closely with senior laboratory members and will have opportunities to participate in laboratory meetings, scientific presentations, manuscript preparation, and collaborative research projects. Contributions to published work will be recognized according to established authorship guidelines.

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 $24.00 - $42.00 per hour for the role of Researcher for dos Santos Laboratory.

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St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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