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Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist - Job Opportunity at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis, US

Full-time

Senior

Posted: June 1, 2025

On-site

USD 104,000 - 186,160 per year

Benefits

Competitive salary range positioning in the upper tier of academic research institutions

Comprehensive benefits package typical of major medical research hospitals

Opportunity to work on high-impact pediatric cancer research with global significance

Access to state-of-the-art computational resources and cutting-edge technologies

Professional development through collaboration with leading researchers in structural biology and AI

Key Responsibilities

Lead computational drug discovery initiatives using ultra-large virtual screening platforms to identify novel therapeutic compounds for pediatric diseases

Drive cross-functional collaboration with experimental teams to validate computational predictions and accelerate drug development pipelines

Implement and optimize advanced computational methodologies including quantum/classical free energy simulations and machine learning techniques

Establish standardized protocols and best practices for computational drug discovery workflows across the organization

Mentor junior scientists and contribute to high-impact publications that advance the field of pediatric therapeutics

Manage and curate molecular databases containing discovered hit and lead compounds for institutional research programs

Present research findings to internal and external stakeholders to advance the hospital's mission in pediatric research

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, statistics/computer science (with a background in biological sciences or chemistry) or related field. Master's degree or PhD preferred.

Experience

Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of relevant post-degree work in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, statistics/computer science (with a background in biological sciences or chemistry). Experience Exception: Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant post-degree experience (OR) PhD with 2+ years of relevant post-degree experience.

Required Skills

Significant experience in at least one programming or scripting language At least one statistical package, with R preferred Optimizes data storage and minimizes intermediate data by reproducible computing Automates multiple cloud computing tasks Develops light-weight software applications with scripting languages (e.g., Perl, Python, Ruby) or programming languages (e.g. C++, JAVA) Performs data modeling and database design Creates novel visualization to help data interpretation Computational discovery of hit and lead compounds targeting proteins Structure-based virtual screens using VirtualFlow Free energy simulations (quantum and classical) MD simulations High-performance computing Cloud computing Machine learning-based methods Predict molecular properties of small molecules

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is experiencing unprecedented growth in computational drug discovery, with virtual screening platforms becoming essential tools for identifying novel therapeutic compounds. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into drug discovery workflows is revolutionizing how researchers approach complex diseases, particularly in pediatric oncology where traditional approaches have shown limited success. There is a significant shift toward precision medicine and personalized therapeutics in pediatric care, driving demand for computational scientists who can bridge the gap between structural biology and clinical applications. The field is increasingly focused on leveraging big data and advanced computational methods to accelerate the drug discovery timeline from years to months. Cloud computing and high-performance computing resources are becoming democratized, allowing research institutions to compete with pharmaceutical giants in computational drug discovery. This trend is particularly beneficial for specialized research hospitals focusing on rare pediatric diseases where commercial interest may be limited.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $104,000 - $186,160 represents a competitive compensation package for senior-level computational scientists in academic medical research. This range aligns well with market standards for senior bioinformatics positions at prestigious research institutions, particularly considering the specialized nature of drug discovery and the organization's reputation in pediatric research.

Role Significance

The role involves leading a small specialized team focused on ligand discovery within the larger Computational and Structural Biology Center. The position requires extensive collaboration across multiple research groups campus-wide, suggesting a matrix organizational structure with influence extending beyond direct reports to include cross-functional project teams.

This is a senior-level position with significant autonomy and leadership responsibilities. The role involves establishing new research directions within the organization, leading collaborative projects, and mentoring junior scientists. The position requires minimal supervision and expects the candidate to drive innovation in computational drug discovery methodologies.

Key Projects

Development and implementation of ultra-large virtual screening campaigns targeting novel therapeutic proteins for pediatric cancers Integration of machine learning models with quantum and classical simulation methods for enhanced drug design capabilities Establishment of computational pipelines for hit-to-lead optimization in collaboration with experimental validation teams Creation of institutional databases and knowledge management systems for compound libraries and screening results

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in computational chemistry and structural biology combined with practical experience in drug discovery workflows. Success requires the ability to translate complex computational predictions into actionable experimental hypotheses that can be validated by wet lab colleagues. Strong collaborative skills and the ability to communicate complex computational concepts to diverse audiences including experimental biologists, clinicians, and institutional leadership. The interdisciplinary nature of pediatric drug discovery demands excellent project management and stakeholder engagement capabilities. Innovation mindset with the ability to adapt cutting-edge computational methods to unique challenges in pediatric medicine. Success requires staying current with rapidly evolving technologies while maintaining focus on clinically relevant outcomes. Leadership capabilities including mentoring junior scientists, establishing best practices, and contributing to high-impact publications that advance the institution's research mission and reputation in the field.

Market Demand

High - The demand for senior bioinformatics scientists with drug discovery expertise is exceptionally strong, driven by the pharmaceutical industry's digital transformation and the critical need for pediatric-focused therapeutics. The combination of computational skills and domain expertise in ligand discovery represents a highly sought-after skill set in both academic and industry settings.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Expertise in structure-based drug design and virtual screening methodologies is absolutely essential as these form the core technical foundation of the role. The ability to design and execute ultra-large virtual screening campaigns using platforms like VirtualFlow directly determines the success of drug discovery initiatives. Proficiency in machine learning and artificial intelligence applications to molecular discovery is crucial given the field's rapid evolution toward AI-driven drug design. This includes understanding how to integrate traditional computational chemistry methods with modern ML approaches for enhanced predictive capabilities. Strong programming and software development skills in languages such as Python, R, and C++ are critical for implementing custom algorithms, managing large datasets, and developing automated workflows for high-throughput computational screening. Database design and management expertise is essential for organizing and curating the vast amounts of molecular data generated by virtual screening campaigns, ensuring reproducibility and enabling knowledge discovery across multiple projects.

Beneficial Skills

Experience with quantum computing applications to molecular simulation would provide significant advantages as this emerging technology becomes more accessible for drug discovery applications, particularly for complex molecular systems relevant to pediatric diseases. Knowledge of regulatory requirements for drug development and FDA approval processes would enhance the ability to design computational studies that generate data suitable for supporting future clinical development of discovered compounds. Background in pediatric oncology or rare disease research would provide valuable context for prioritizing computational efforts and understanding the unique challenges associated with developing therapeutics for children. Grant writing and project management experience would support career advancement opportunities and enable leadership of larger, multi-institutional research initiatives in computational drug discovery.

Unique Aspects

This position offers the rare opportunity to be the founding member of a ligand discovery team within one of the world's most prestigious pediatric research institutions, providing exceptional visibility and impact potential for career development

The role combines cutting-edge computational methods with direct application to pediatric diseases, addressing some of the most challenging therapeutic targets where commercial pharmaceutical development may be limited due to market size considerations

Access to the VirtualFlow ultra-large virtual screening platform represents exposure to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure that rivals or exceeds capabilities available at most pharmaceutical companies

The position offers unique collaboration opportunities with leading experts in structural biology, artificial intelligence, and clinical pediatric oncology within a single institution focused exclusively on children's diseases

Career Growth

Progression to principal or director-level positions typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing senior scientists, particularly those who establish successful drug discovery programs and contribute to breakthrough therapeutic discoveries. Academic faculty transitions may require additional publication records and grant funding success.

Potential Next Roles

Principal Scientist or Research Director positions leading larger computational biology initiatives at major research institutions or pharmaceutical companies Faculty positions at top-tier universities with joint appointments in computational biology and pediatric oncology departments Chief Scientific Officer or VP of Computational Sciences roles at biotechnology companies focused on pediatric therapeutics Consultant or advisor roles for pharmaceutical companies developing computational drug discovery platforms

Company Overview

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a world-renowned pediatric treatment and research facility that has fundamentally transformed childhood cancer treatment since its founding. The institution operates on a unique model where families never receive bills for treatment, travel, housing, or food, allowing researchers and clinicians to focus entirely on advancing pediatric care without commercial constraints.

St. Jude is globally recognized as the premier institution for pediatric cancer research and treatment, with one of the largest research programs dedicated exclusively to children's diseases. The hospital's research discoveries have contributed to increasing overall childhood cancer survival rates from 20% to over 80% since its founding, establishing it as the gold standard in pediatric oncology research.

Located in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude serves as a major economic and intellectual anchor for the region while maintaining global reach through its research collaborations and treatment protocols. The institution's presence has helped establish Memphis as a significant hub for biomedical research and has attracted numerous supporting biotechnology companies and research initiatives to the area.

The institutional culture is mission-driven with an unwavering focus on eliminating pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The work environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and urgency given the critical nature of pediatric disease research. The institution attracts top-tier talent who are motivated by the opportunity to make direct impacts on children's lives rather than purely commercial objectives.

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Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist - Job Opportunity at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Benefits

Key Responsibilities

Requirements

Education

Experience

Required Skills

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Salary Evaluation

Role Significance

Key Projects

Success Factors

Market Demand

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Beneficial Skills

Unique Aspects

Career Growth

Potential Next Roles

Company Overview

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

Sauge AI Market Intelligence