Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in academic research, biomedical sciences, and engineering, with consistent demand at institutions anchored in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are among the most active and established employers for these roles across the state. The most in-demand specializations include cancer biology, computational neuroscience, and materials science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 24+ Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs
Job Description
With advances in functional genomics, the role of epigenetic enzymes and transcription factor complexes in driving cell lineage and cancer pathogenesis has come to the forefront. These represent new opportunities to control high-risk childhood solid tumors, such as neuroblastoma. These processes are made more complex by the presence of intratumoral heterogeneity – the presence of cells in distinct states, within a complex primary tumor (Cell Reports Medicine 2022). Understanding the basic principles of how these cells interact to control growth of a tumor is critical to the successful design of new therapeutic interventions for childhood cancer.
The Durbin lab is interested in a broad, “multi-omics” approach to the epigenetically-coded processes that drive pediatric cancer. Our work has identified key targets in pediatric solid tumors, including rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma (Nature Genetics 2018; Nature Genetics 2021; Cancer Discovery 2022; Nature Communications 2024; Journal of Experimental Medicine 2026). We have built on these studies to develop first generation molecules suitable for targeting these proteins (Cancer Discovery 2022; Nature Communications 2024). Our goal is to more deeply understand fundamental principles of tumor cell biology, and use these to develop new therapies. Using newly developed tools, including advanced genome editing tools, we have developed fundamental insights into how cell state is controlled in childhood solid tumors. We seek to use these tools to understand and control the biological principles that govern cancer cell epigenetics, to improve our ability to control fundamental cancer processes, such as growth, resistance to therapy and metastasis.
We are seeking highly motivated post-doctoral fellows with interest in interrogating cell state and tumor molecular cell biology to identify new ways to control tumor malignant behaviors. The ideal applicant is a collaborative individual who will learn and use state-of-the-art techniques in genetics, molecular biology, chemical and cell biology to investigate in vitro and in vivo models of human diseases with a particular focus on transcriptional biology and epigenetics.
Minimum Education:
PhD degree in an appropriate scientific field is required. Experience in mammalian cell culture is absolutely required, as is prior experience with basic transcriptional and epigenetic biology techniques (molecular cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, flow cytometry, ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN or ATACseq). Experience with command-line analysis for high throughput omics technologies, and functional genomics screening (CRISPRa, CRISPRi, conventional CRISPR knockout) is preferred but not mandatory. Applicants are welcome from within St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and outside of the Institute equally. We welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds.
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
Job Description
With advances in functional genomics, the role of epigenetic enzymes and transcription factor complexes in driving cell lineage and cancer pathogenesis has come to the forefront. These represent new opportunities to control high-risk childhood solid tumors, such as neuroblastoma. These processes are made more complex by the presence of intratumoral heterogeneity – the presence of cells in distinct states, within a complex primary tumor (Cell Reports Medicine 2022). Understanding the basic principles of how these cells interact to control growth of a tumor is critical to the successful design of new therapeutic interventions for childhood cancer.
The Durbin lab is interested in a broad, “multi-omics” approach to the epigenetically-coded processes that drive pediatric cancer. Our work has identified key targets in pediatric solid tumors, including rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma (Nature Genetics 2018; Nature Genetics 2021; Cancer Discovery 2022; Nature Communications 2024; Journal of Experimental Medicine 2026). We have built on these studies to develop first generation molecules suitable for targeting these proteins (Cancer Discovery 2022; Nature Communications 2024). Our goal is to more deeply understand fundamental principles of tumor cell biology, and use these to develop new therapies. Using newly developed tools, including advanced genome editing tools, we have developed fundamental insights into how cell state is controlled in childhood solid tumors. We seek to use these tools to understand and control the biological principles that govern cancer cell epigenetics, to improve our ability to control fundamental cancer processes, such as growth, resistance to therapy and metastasis.
We are seeking highly motivated post-doctoral fellows with interest in interrogating cell state and tumor molecular cell biology to identify new ways to control tumor malignant behaviors. The ideal applicant is a collaborative individual who will learn and use state-of-the-art techniques in genetics, molecular biology, chemical and cell biology to investigate in vitro and in vivo models of human diseases with a particular focus on transcriptional biology and epigenetics.
Minimum Education:
PhD degree in an appropriate scientific field is required. Experience in mammalian cell culture is absolutely required, as is prior experience with basic transcriptional and epigenetic biology techniques (molecular cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, flow cytometry, ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN or ATACseq). Experience with command-line analysis for high throughput omics technologies, and functional genomics screening (CRISPRa, CRISPRi, conventional CRISPR knockout) is preferred but not mandatory. Applicants are welcome from within St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and outside of the Institute equally. We welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds.
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
See All 24 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsPostdoctoral Research Associate Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital20
- Alsac/St. Jude Children'S Research Hospital2
- Meharry Medical College1
- Middle Tennessee State University1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral research associate jobs across Tennessee.
- PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline completed or near completion
- Demonstrated research experience through peer-reviewed publications or graduate thesis work
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques or computational methods relevant to the host lab
- Ability to design, execute, and interpret independent research projects
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and conference presentations
- Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary research teams in an academic or institutional setting
Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral research associate in Tennessee?
The standard path is completing a doctoral degree, then applying directly to postdoctoral openings at Tennessee research universities or medical centers. Tennessee does not require a state license for postdoctoral research associates. Most positions are filled through institutional hiring portals at places like Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee system, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where applicants submit a CV, research statement, and reference letters.
Which companies hire postdoctoral research associates in Tennessee?
Companies currently hiring postdoctoral research associates in Tennessee include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Alsac/St. Jude Children'S Research Hospital, and Meharry Medical College, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's concentration of research universities and major medical institutions means many openings are tied to academic departments and hospital-affiliated research programs across Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville.
Which Tennessee cities have the most postdoctoral research associate jobs?
The cities with the most postdoctoral research associate openings in Tennessee are Memphis, Nashville, and Murfreesboro. Nashville drives volume through Vanderbilt University and Meharry Medical College, Memphis is anchored by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Knoxville reflects the research activity of the University of Tennessee's flagship campus and proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Are there remote postdoctoral research associate jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Postdoctoral research associate work is largely hands-on, involving laboratory experiments, specialized equipment, or direct collaboration with research teams on-site. About 0% of postdoctoral research associate openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be computational, bioinformatics, or data-intensive positions where the work can be performed independently without physical lab access.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral research associate in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying while still completing your doctoral program, since many Tennessee institutions accept applications from candidates within six months of their defense. Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee system post positions open to new PhD graduates, and St. Jude maintains a structured postdoctoral fellowship program for early-career researchers. Relevant graduate publications or a strong dissertation proposal help considerably, as does reaching out directly to principal investigators whose lab interests align with your doctoral work.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your background and research focus, and apply directly to each position.
See All 24 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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