Staff Scientist – Otolaryngology Full-time

Staff Scientist Position

A Staff Scientist position is now open in the Puram Lab (PI: Sidharth Puram, MD PhD, Lindburg Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology) at WashU Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, integrated into the Departments of Genetics and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Our research is dedicated to describing and investigating the mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity in head and neck cancers (squamous cell carcinoma, salivary gland cancers, and other tumors). We have advanced the application of single cell sequencing and spatial technologies to rigorously pursue this research, with our work providing the first detailed atlas of an epithelial tumor through studies of head and neck cancer patients (Puram et al., Cell, 2017).

We are seeking a highly motivated, hard working, rigorous, and curious Staff Scientist who aspires to join a multidisciplinary research team focused on fundamental challenges in tumor biology including dysregulated signaling, metastasis, treatment resistance, and recurrence. The position calls for an individual who is seeking to advance their skill set and depth of knowledge, along with finely honing their existing research skills. Designs research protocols. Assists in developing and conducting research projects, including experiment design, data analysis and documentation of experiment results.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

• Following instructions and discussions with the principal investigator, designs research protocols, including developing procedures for the collection, verification and management of data.
• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Performs complex statistical analysis of data collected and writes interpretative reports. Verifies the correctness of the data submitted and makes recommendations based on these analyses.
• Documents research topics and prepares and submits papers based on research work to publications and committees for publication or presentation to peers.
• Solves practical problems relating to difficulties with equipment or test subjects. Suggests technical or procedural improvements in testing methods.
• Conducts literature searches related to research project.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working conditions include:

• Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.
• Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required qualifications include:

• Master's degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Laboratory Operations (3 Years) work experience.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Ph.D. – Doctor of Philosophy.
• Analytical problem solving, communication, computer literacy, data analysis, data interpretations skills.

Grade: R10

Salary range: $48,000.00 – $86,900.00 / Annually. The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.