Job ID:

128253 ASSOCIATE

SCIENTIST/SCIENTIST IN TRANSLATIONAL STUDIES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA MODELS

Position:

Associate Scientist or Scientist Deadline:

1 November 2026

Employment Start Date:

10 September 2026

Contract Length:

>5 years

City:

Memphis Country:

United States Institution:

St.

Jude Children's Research Hospital Department:

Developmental Neurobiology Description:

An Associate Scientist/Scientist position is available for a highly motivated individual seeking to transition from a postdoctoral role to a stable staff scientist position. The successful candidate will lead an independent research program focused on developing translational strategies to restore normal function in impaired neuronal circuits using mouse models of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and 3q29 deletion syndrome. These rare neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with some of the highest known genetic risks for schizophrenia. Preference will be given to applicants with Ph.D. in neuroscience or related fields, who have a strong background in molecular biology, ASO biochemistry, delivery, and validation assays, or 2-photon imaging of head-fixed animals, in vivo stereotaxic-guided injections of viruses, and strong communication skills. The candidate also will benefit from an outstanding, highly collaborative work environment in which a diverse team of 15 researchers focuses efforts toward understanding the mechanisms of schizophrenia and psychotic behavior at the levels of neural circuits and individual neurons, synapses, and molecules. The laboratory is part of the Department of Developmental Neurobiology, which houses specialized departmental shared resources, including an integrated support structure for testing rodent behavior, producing genetically engineered animal models and 3-dimensional human brain organoids, in vivo and ex vivo imaging of cells, advanced image processing and analysis, single-cell profiling, and bioinformatics. In addition, numerous institutional shared resources and core facilities support the laboratory by providing expertise and state-of-the-art technologies. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital offers an excellent salary and benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer. Interested applicants should send their CVs and the names and addresses of 3 references to: Stanislav Zakharenko, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Developmental Neurobiology, MS 322 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 stanislav.zakharenko@stjude.org