Associate Scientist/Scientist - Wet Lab Research, Influenza Virology - Kosinski Lab

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At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, we believe extraordinary discoveries happen when exceptional scientists are empowered with exceptional resources. That's why we provide world-class facilities, cutting-edge technologies, collaborative expertise, and an environment where research rapidly translates from bench to bedside.

At St. Jude, your work has a direct impact on improving and saving the lives of children around the world. We encourage bold ideas, scientific curiosity, and a relentless commitment to advancing discoveries that matter.

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist or Scientist to join the newly established laboratory of Dr. Jan Kosinski. This individual will serve as the scientific and operational leader of the laboratory's wet-lab program and play a key role in launching and building the research operation from the ground up.

The Kosinski Laboratory investigates the influenza A virus infection cycle within cells and develops innovative approaches for in-cell structural biology. Our research integrates cryo-electron tomography, crosslinking mass spectrometry, cell biology, and computational approaches to uncover fundamental mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions.

The laboratory will open at St. Jude in January 2027 as part of Dr. Kosinski's relocation from EMBL Hamburg.

This is a unique opportunity for a scientifically driven individual who enjoys both hands-on research and laboratory leadership. The successful candidate will help establish laboratory infrastructure, oversee critical virology and cell culture operations, mentor trainees, and develop an independent research program focused on influenza biology and advanced cellular model systems.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Research

• Lead and oversee the laboratory's cell culture and influenza virology operations.
• Maintain mammalian cell lines and primary cell cultures.
• Produce, titrate, validate, and maintain influenza virus stocks.
• Generate recombinant and tagged influenza viruses using reverse genetics approaches.
• Develop stable and CRISPR-engineered cell lines to support research programs.
• Perform molecular biology and biochemical techniques including:
• Cloning
• Transfections
• Immunoprecipitations
• Western blotting
• Conduct fluorescence and confocal microscopy experiments.
• Analyze experimental data and maintain high-quality research documentation.
• Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, grant applications, and scientific publications.
• Present findings within the laboratory, at institutional seminars, and at scientific conferences.

Laboratory Operations & Management

• Lead the setup of the new laboratory, including equipment procurement, installation, and commissioning.
• Manage inventories, consumables, reagent stocks, and laboratory resources.
• Oversee service contracts and equipment maintenance activities.
• Ensure compliance with BSL-2 laboratory operations and institutional safety requirements.
• Manage SOP development, biosafety documentation, EH&S compliance, and training records.
• Maintain laboratory electronic notebooks, protocol repositories, and data management systems.
• Train, onboard, and mentor laboratory personnel in experimental procedures and best practices.
• Provide supervision and scientific guidance to junior staff and trainees as the laboratory grows.

Preferred Qualifications

Successful candidates will demonstrate expertise in many of the following areas:

Core Scientific Expertise

• Mammalian cell culture, including primary cell culture systems
• Influenza virology, including:
• Virus propagation
• Viral infections
• Plaque assays
• TCID50 assays
• Viral stock quality control
• BSL-2 laboratory operations and biosafety practices
• Molecular biology techniques, including:
• Cloning
• Transfection
• CRISPR-based genome engineering
• Stable cell line generation
• Protein biochemistry methods, including immunoprecipitation and western blotting
• Fluorescence microscopy and confocal imaging
• Laboratory documentation, inventory management, and regulatory compliance

Additional Desired Experience

• Influenza reverse genetics and recombinant virus generation
• Organoid, air-liquid interface, or other tissue-derived model systems
• Experience establishing or expanding laboratory operations
• Electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) administration or laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
• Sample preparation for electron microscopy or mass spectrometry
• Proteomics workflows and crosslinking mass spectrometry
• Training, mentorship, and supervision of scientific staff and students
• Tissue handling associated with animal-based studies

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate combines strong scientific expertise with a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset. This individual should be comfortable operating independently, establishing new processes, identifying solutions, and helping shape the culture and scientific direction of a growing research program.

Key strengths include

• Scientific leadership and accountability
• Strong project ownership and execution
• Laboratory operations and process development
• Collaboration and mentorship
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to balance research excellence with laboratory management responsibilities

Highlights include

• Opportunity to influence laboratory design, infrastructure, and operational strategy
• Significant autonomy and visibility within a growing research program
• Approximately equal emphasis on laboratory leadership and independent research
• Opportunities for first-author publications and collaborative scientific contributions
• Access to St. Jude's world-leading structural biology and imaging resources, including:
• Cryo-EM/ET Center
• Three Titan Krios microscopes
• Plasma-FIB and Aquilos instrumentation
• Advanced core facilities and shared research infrastructure
• Collaboration with leading influenza, structural biology, and computational biology researchers across St. Jude

All influenza research performed within the laboratory operates at BSL-2 containment. High-containment and animal studies are conducted through collaborations with the St. Jude Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response.

Minimum Education and/or Training

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific areas such as cell biology, virology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field is required.
• PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree strongly preferred.

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

Salary range

$86,320.00 - $154,960.00

Associate Scientist Minimum Experience

• 7 + years of research experience is required
• 5 + years of research experience is required with a Master's degree
• 2 + years of research experience is required with a PHD

Salary range

$65,520.00 - $114,400.00

Position Level Notice: This position is being posted at both the Associate Scientist and Scientist levels. Final level determination will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, and overall assessment during the hiring process.

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 $86,320 - $154,960 per year for the role of Associate Scientist/Scientist - Wet Lab Research, Influenza Virology - Kosinski Lab.

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