Senior Scientist; Pooled Lentiviral Screening & Method Development

Senior Scientist (Pooled Lentiviral Screening & Method Development)

Location

Memphis, TN

Category

Laboratory Sciences & Support

Department

Cell and Molecular Biology

Shift

Weekday Day

Position Type

Full Time

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

JR6144

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Scientist to direct daily laboratory operations and spearhead method development for high-throughput screening that will uncover the therapeutic potential of intrinsically disordered regions. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced molecular biologist to take a leadership role in a collaborative academic environment, supporting a large-scale screening project and pioneering new cell perturbation methodologies.

The postholder will oversee the day-to-day operation of the experimental arm of the research group and lead the development of innovative experimental pipelines to advance lentiviral-based screening technologies across diverse biological systems.

The World’s Brightest Minds Always Innovate

e Children’s Research Hospital, we know what can be achieved when the brightest scientific minds face the fewest barriers. That’s why we provide world-class facilities. State-of-the-art technologies. Extraordinary support. And a collaborative, bench-to-bedside environment where you can see, firsthand, how your science translates into survival for the children we serve. Quite simply, e, we encourage you to dream big and stop at nothing when it comes to finding cures and saving children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the development of innovative experimental strategies to expand and enhance the existing screening capabilities of the group.
• Manage laboratory operations by coordinating daily activities, maintaining and troubleshooting equipment, and ensuring adherence to institutional regulatory requirements.
• Support the design, optimization, and implementation of pooled lentiviral screening workflows, including peptide inhibitor and base/prime editing platforms.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensure quality control, and promote best laboratory practices.
• Supervise and mentor postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, and students involved in screening projects.
• Engage in collaborative research and contribute to publications, grant proposals, and presentations.

Ideal Candidate:

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or a closely related field.
• Extensive experience in CRISPR-based genome engineering in mammalian cell systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in the design, production, and application of lentiviral libraries for large-scale screening.
• Proven track record in developing, implementing, or applying high-throughput genetic perturbation or functional screening approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to manage laboratory operations, including supervision and training of staff or students.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and record-keeping skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability and capacity to work independently as well as collaboratively.

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience with base or prime editing systems.
• Familiarity with large-scale data generation and interpretation in screening contexts.
• Evidence of contributions to collaborative research initiatives or consortia.

About the Research Environment:

The Davey lab has recently joined the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology to launch a research program applying high-throughput screening approaches to uncover the therapeutic potential of intrinsically disordered regions. The postholder will work within a collaborative, supportive team and benefit from world-class core facilities and excellent opportunities for professional development.

What problem are we tackling? Target discovery is a critical foundation of drug development, underpinning efforts to overcome the persistent challenges of drug resistance, emerging pathogens, and complex diseases that lack effective therapies. By uncovering novel proteins and molecular pathways driving disease progression, we can enable the rational design of more selective interventions that reduce off-target effects and improve patient outcomes.

The development of tool…