St. Jude is unlike any other place to do a postdoc. As both a world-class research institution and a specialized children's hospital, we offer something rare — the resources, freedom, and sense of purpose that allow you to do the best work of your early career. The science here is serious, the mission is singular, and the community is one you will want to be part of.
At St. Jude, the urgency to do meaningful work is felt every day. Our mission to find cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases shapes everything about how science is conducted here, from the questions we ask to the collaborations we pursue. The knowledge we generate does not stay within our walls. Through platforms like St. Jude Cloud, we share data and discoveries with the global research community, accelerating progress for children everywhere.
“Our postdoctoral community is a cornerstone of St. Jude research, and we are committed to providing an exceptional training experience. “
Apply to a postdoctoral position
Prospective postdoctoral fellows should hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or medical field and demonstrate a strong record of research achievement. Applications are accepted year-round and should include a cover letter, CV, and references. Selected candidates may be invited to interview and discuss their research interests and career goals with St. Jude faculty.
Funding, benefits and compensation
Postdoctoral Salary
Postdoctoral fellows at St. Jude are not required to bring their own funding. Salaries are competitive and exceed NIH-recommended levels. On this salary postdocs are able to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in Memphis, a vibrant city with a low cost of living.
Fellows are encouraged to pursue competitive external funding as part of their professional development. Several named institutional fellowships are also awarded annually to outstanding postdoctoral fellows.
| Years of Experience | Stipend |
|---|---|
| 1 | $72,529.60 |
| 2 | $75,025.60 |
| 3 | $77,521.60 |
| 4 | $80,017.60 |
| 5 | $82,534.60 |
| 6 | $84,032.60 |
| 7 | $85,529.60 |
| 8 | $87,027.20 |
Benefits
St. Jude provides competitive benefits, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance ($0 premiums for individuals)
- 403B retirement plan with 7% employer contribution
- $2,500 annual professional development allowance for training (e.g., attending scientific meetings, society memberships)
- Relocation assistance of $8,000 for 100+ mile moves
- Paid leave and competitive paid time off allotments
- Laptop computer
- On-campus childcare through the St. Jude Child Care Center, operated by Bright Horizons and located less than one mile from campus, serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years old.
Professional development
St. Jude is unlike any other place to do a postdoc. As both a world-class research institution and a specialized children's hospital, we offer something rare — the resources, freedom, and sense of purpose that allow you to do the best work of your early career. The science here is serious, the mission is singular, and the community is one you will want to be part of.
At St. Jude, the urgency to do meaningful work is felt every day. Our mission to find cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases shapes everything about how science is conducted here, from the questions we ask to the collaborations we pursue. The knowledge we generate does not stay within our walls. Through platforms like St. Jude Cloud, we share data and discoveries with the global research community, accelerating progress for children everywhere.
St. Jude takes seriously the responsibility to prepare postdoctoral fellows not just for the next experiment, but for the next stage of their careers. Our advisors work with each fellow individually, beginning with the development of a Strategic Milestones and Research Training (SMaRT) Plan that establishes goals, milestones, and a timeline tailored to each trainee's aspirations.
The SMaRT Plan allows postdocs to:
- Establish goals and set milestones early in their postdoc training
- Identify key resources from a curated repository to support their development
- Establish a timeline for training that incorporates professional development and transferrable skill-building activities
- Dedicate focused time to maximize research efforts
- Prepare for the job market with the support of a career advisor
Our counselors are committed to supporting your professional development beyond your research project, starting with the development of a SMART plan, and expanding further to fit the needs of individual trainees.
Teaching opportunities
In addition to serving as laboratory mentors, St. Jude postdocs also have various formalized opportunities to teach individual classes as well as full course curriculums at partnered institutions including Rhodes College and the St. Jude Graduate School. These teaching opportunities can be pursued alongside research training with support of their research mentors.
Career Advancement Program (CAP) Fellowship
The CAP is a 12 to 18-month experiential learning opportunity for postdoctoral fellows who have completed their research training and are seeking to develop requisite skills for successful job placement in select careers. CAP fellowships are conducted within St. Jude departments and/or affiliated institutions and offered in the following career sectors:
- Academic Administration
- Science Program Management
- Scientific Communication
- Good Manufacturing Practices
- Undergraduate Research and Education
Additional opportunities
Beyond the programs described, postdocs have access to seminars and workshops on professional development and career pathways, leadership opportunities through the Postdoctoral Association Leadership Council, clinical shadowing with practitioners in areas relevant to their research, and networking across programs and disciplines throughout the institution.
Community and life at St. Jude
When you come to St. Jude, you don’t just start a job—you join a community. Postdocs have ample opportunity to build a fulfilling personal and social life during their time at St. Jude.
Recruitment and conferences
Our recruitment team attends scientific conferences throughout the year and welcomes the opportunity to connect with prospective postdocs.
Upcoming events
Look for St. Jude recruiters at a scientific conference or event in 2026-2027:
- Manali Ghosh, PhD – Senior Academic Recruiter
- Prasiddhi Neupane – Academic Recruiter II
- Takisha Mack – Senior Academic Talent Specialist
Contact the St. Jude recruitment office: postdoc@stjude.org.
| Scientific Meeting | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| American Society for Virology | July 27-30, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN |
| American Chemical Society Fall | August 23-27, 2026 | Chicago, IL |
| American Society of Human Genetics (no booth) | October 20-24, 2026 | Montreal, Canada |
| Society for Neuroscience | November 14-18, 2026 | Washington, DC |
| American Society for Cell Biology | December 12-16, 2026 | San Diego, CA |
| Biophysical Society | February 20-24, 2027 | Philadelphia, PA |
| American Association for Cancer Research | April 2-7, 2027 | Orlando, FL |
| American Association for Immunologists | April 30-May 4, 2027 | Los Angeles, CA |
National Graduate Student Symposium
Each year, select PhD students from across the country are invited to the National Graduate Student Symposium at St. Jude. This is an opportunity to present their work, meet our faculty, and experience the research environment firsthand.
Postdoctoral support
Staff in the Office of Academic Programs in Biomedical Sciences provide dedicated administrative and training support for postdoctoral fellows.
Primary contact:
Karyn Lawrence
Coordinator, Postdoctoral Programs
karyn.lawrence@stjude.org
Postdoctoral Coordinator Karyn Lawrence is dedicated to providing support, information and advice to all postdoctoral fellows at St. Jude. As well as overseeing relocation needs, she is an invaluable resource for questions regarding all aspects of postdoc life, from work in the lab to housing, banking, government services, schools and other community resources.
Additional contacts:
Carrie Crunk
Postdoctoral Operations Administrator
carrie.crunk@stjude.org
Lisa Gaddy
Immigration Services
lisa.gaddy@stjude.org
