Postdoctoral Research Associate - Therapeutic Genome Engineering

ThePostdoctoral Research Fellow position in Dr. Jonathan Yen's laboratory within the Division of Experimental Hematology offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in genome engineering. Dr. Yen's lab focuses on developing innovative strategies to treat hemoglobinopathies, with a particular emphasis on sickle cell disease. The successful candidate will engage in translational research, exploring novel genome editing techniques and their potential clinical applications.

Dr. Yen's laboratory explores and develops novel genome engineering strategies to treat hemoglobinopathies, like sickle cell disease. A current major focus of the lab is to conduct IND-enabling studies to translate new genome editing strategies like base editing to the clinic, which includes optimization of hematopoietic stem cell editing, and pharmacology and toxicology studies. In addition, the laboratory also is exploring new aspects of mouse models and transplantations, novel in vivo and ex vivo delivery strategies, and new strategies to make genome editing therapies more accessible and affordable around the world.

Dr. Yen has led a highly productive and collaborative laboratory, with recent publications include ones in Nature, Nature Genetics, and Nature Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Yen was previously in industry setting before coming to St. Jude. He has led the St. Jude's efforts on their first clinical genome edited program to treat sickle cell disease, St. Jude Autologous Genome Edited Stem cells (SAGES1), using Cas9 nucleases to induce fetal hemoglobin, and is now working on SAGES2, which uses a base editing strategy to treat sickle cell disease.

Candidates should have recently earned/expect to earn a Ph.D. and have published at least one first author primary research paper in a high impact peer reviewed journal. They should have experience in hematopoietic stem cell biology, genome editing, and/or non-viral delivery technologies like LNP, VLPs, or other nanoparticles.

Dr. Yen's lab provides a dynamic and collaborative environment, fostering scientific growth and impactful discoveries. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply and contribute to advancing genome editing therapies for patients worldwide.

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has a diverse, global patient population and workforce, built on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our founder Danny Thomas envisioned a hospital that would treat children of the world-regardless of race, religion or a family's ability to pay. Learn more about our history and commitment.

Today, we continue the mission to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. As we accelerate this progress globally, we believe our legacy of diversity, equity and inclusion is foundational to success. With the commitment of leaders at all levels of the organization, we strive to ensure the St. Jude culture, leadership approaches and talent processes are equitable and culturally responsive. View our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report to learn about the hospital's roots in diversity, equity and inclusion, where we are today and our aspirations for an even better future.

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