Director, Automation Engineering | St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | Tsai Lab

The lab of Shengdar Q. Tsai focuses on understanding, improving, and translating novel genome editors for therapeutics, aided by state-of-the-art laboratory automation.

We are seeking highly motivated, experienced, and creative candidates to lead development of an integrated, state-of-the-art liquid handling platform to automate genomics methods associated with development of individualized genomic medicines e.

St. Jude has recently launched a new blue sky project, PARADIGM (Partnership to Advance Development of Individualized Genomic Medicines), which has the goal of developing customized genome editing treatments for patients e with hematological conditions such as bone marrow failure disorders.

CRISPR genome editors, adapted from bacterial adaptive immune systems, have transformed both basic biological research and genomic medicine. One unique advantage is that they can be simply programmed with a short associated guide RNA molecule, and in principle new gRNAs could direct precise modifications to different disease-associated mutations.

• Design and build an state-of-the-art, integrated liquid handling platform to perform genomics and next-generation-sequencing (NGS) assays. The ideal platform will integrate liquid handlers, thermocyclers, incubators, plate readers, washers, and a robotic arm.
• Automate high-throughput, cellular and biochemical methods such as GUIDE-seq and CHANGE-seq, to define the genome-wide activity of base and prime editors.
• Automate other key molecular biology and next-generation sequencing methods relevant to development of novel genome editing therapeutics.
• Apply this platform towards high-throughput lead target discovery of highly active base and prime editors that can make precise edits to living cells.
• Collaborate with other members of PARADIGM team, including post-doctoral fellows, genomics scientists, and protein engineers, working toward a common goal of realizing a future of individualized genome editing medicines.

• Program liquid handlers, robotic arms, and instrumentation for life sciences research with a focus on genomics and next-generation sequencing
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including biochemists, molecular biologists, cell biologists, bioengineers, and bioinformatics scientists to develop liquid handling automation protocols for genomic and cellular processes.
• Conduct thorough testing and validation of automated liquid handling protocols, troubleshoot technical issues, and implement necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance.
• Collaborate with external vendors to evaluate and select appropriate robotic equipment, instruments, and consumables to support project needs.
• Trains lab members to use new liquid handling automation systems.
• Manages capital purchasing and budgeting objectives for new blue sky project.
• Oversees the design, construction, integration, operation, and maintenance of new liquid handling systems.
• Works closely with the Principal Investigator to create automation workflows that advance lab goals.

• Bachelor's degree is required
• Master's/PhD preferred.
• Ten (10) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required
• Eight (8) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a Master’s degree
• Six (6) years of relevant post-degree work experience is required with a PHD
• Management experience is required
• Minimum Requirement: 7+ years of technical experience in relevant technical field (industry or academia) with Bachelor's.
• Experience Exception: 5+ years of technical experience in relevant technical field with Master’s.
• Experience Exception: 3+ years of technical experience in relevant technical field with PhD.
• Experience managing at least 1-2 people preferred.
• Extensive experience leading projects/processes end to end including resource planning and management, and communication and collaboration with internal cross-functional teams and external partners preferred.
• Experience leading and mentoring teams preferred.
• Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience working with one or multiple major automated liquid handling platforms and familiarity with working with dynamic scheduling software. If you have experience developing liquid handling automation systems for next-generation sequencing, we strongly encourage you to apply.

We care deeply about the success of our scientists and this job is a unique opportunity to…