Wet Lab Scientist - Ligand Discovery in Gorgulla Lab

Wet Lab Scientist - Ligand Discovery in Gorgulla Lab

Location:

Memphis, TN

Category:
Laboratory Sciences & Support

Department:
Structural Biology

Shift: Weekday Day

Position Type:
Full Time

Scheduled Weekly

Hours:

40

Job

Join an excellent team of researchers dedicated to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The QAI4

Bio (Quantum AI for Biology) Lab led by Dr. Christoph Gorgulla within the Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Discovery in the Structural Biology Department is seeking a skilled wet lab scientist with experience in ligand discovery.

The role focuses on experimental validation of protein‑ligand interactions, targeting proteins associated with epigenetic regulation, cancer, and healthy aging/longevity. Responsibilities include producing high-quality proteins, designing and performing binding assays (SPR, MST, ITC, BLI, FP, TR‑FRET, etc.), optimizing workflows, and potentially performing structural studies (NMR, X‑ray, cryo‑EM). As a lab manager you will oversee day‑to‑day operations of the wet lab.

• Experience with high-throughput binding assays and automation for drug discovery.
• Hands‑on expertise in developing and executing binding assays for ligand discovery, including hit confirmation, affinity and kinetic characterization, counter‑screening, and assay troubleshooting.
• Comfortable running assays manually and adapting them to high‑throughput formats with liquid‑handling robots, plate readers, and dispensing systems.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following: SPR, plate‑based fluorescence assays (FP, TR‑FRET/HTRF), BLI, MST, DSF/nanoDSF, ITC, Alpha Screen/AlphaLISA.
• Experience in assay development, optimization, validation, controls, reproducibility, Z‑factor, and counter‑screen design.
• Experience producing high‑quality recombinant proteins in bacterial, insect, or mammalian systems. Knowledge of challenging targets, membrane proteins, multi‑domain proteins, or protein complexes is preferred.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree required;
  Master’s or PhD preferred.
• Experience:
  
  8 years with a bachelor’s, 6 years with a master’s, or 3 years with a PhD.

Knowledge of structural biology methods such as cryo‑EM or X‑ray crystallography.

Estimated salary range: $86,320 – $154,960 per year.

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer.