The Staff Scientist (physician-scientist track) will support multidisciplinary research aligned with the CZI Biohub grand challenges, driving long-horizon, high-impact scientific breakthroughs at the intersection of AI and biology. This role will help design, execute, and translate innovative experimental and computational work that advances next-generation tools for understanding and improving human health by dissecting cellular behavior, inflammation, and immune-based disease mechanisms. The Staff Scientist will collaborate closely with Meharry investigators, trainees, and external partners to move high-impact projects from concept to publication and funding.
Essential Functions:
- The Staff Scientist will contribute to projects that aim to:
- Build AI-based virtual cell models to predict and understand cellular behavior.
- Develop novel imaging technologies to map, measure, and model complex biological systems.
- Create new tools for real-time sensing and measurement of inflammation within tissues.
- Harness the immune system for early detection, prevention, and treatment of disease.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and conduct experiments supporting CZI-aligned research priorities.
- Generate, analyze, and interpret high-quality biological and imaging datasets.
- Collaborate with computational and AI/ML teams to connect experimental results with predictive models.
- Contribute to manuscripts, abstracts, and grant applications.
- Support mentoring and training of students and research staff as needed.
- Maintain rigorous compliance with research, biosafety, and data integrity standards
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
- Strong foundation in cell biology, immunology, systems biology, or related biomedical disciplines.
- Familiarity with AI/ML-enabled biology and/or quantitative approaches to complex biological data.
- Experience with advanced experimental methods relevant to immune function, inflammation, and tissue biology.
- Ability to generate, manage, and interpret high-dimensional datasets (e.g., imaging, multi-omics).
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-disciplinary teams.
- Thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of writing, grammar, syntax, style, and punctuation.
- Excellent skills in writing clear, engaging, and persuasive text appropriate to target audiences, while ensuring adherence to sponsor's guidelines.
- Good attention to detail.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective verbal and written communication.
- Familiarity with private and federal research agencies, especially NIH.
- Knowledge of federal policies pertinent to federal grants and proposals.
- Familiarity with the academic research environment.
- Effective collaboration skills.
- Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
- Receptive to constructive criticism
- Demonstrated skills in organizing, prioritizing and scheduling complex work assignments.
- Knowledge of common computer application programs (e.g., office software, spreadsheets, databases, web CMS)
- Strong analytical/problem-solving skills.
- Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Preferred:
- Experience contributing to AI-informed modeling efforts (virtual cell or related predictive frameworks).
- Familiarity with advanced imaging platforms and/or real-time sensing modalities.
- Exposure to systems immunology, inflammation biology, or translational therapy.
- Experience with collaborative multi-site programs or large-scale research initiatives.
- Thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of writing, grammar, syntax, style, and punctuation.
- Excellent skills in writing clear, engaging, and persuasive text appropriate to target audiences, while ensuring adherence to sponsor's guidelines.
- Good attention to detail.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective verbal and written communication.
- Familiarity with research agencies, especially NIH.
- Knowledge of federal policies pertinent to federal grants and proposals.
- Familiarity with the academic research environment.
- Effective collaboration skills.
- Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
- Receptive to constructive criticism
- Demonstrated skills in organizing, prioritizing and scheduling complex work assignments.
- Knowledge of common computer application programs (e.g., office software, spreadsheets, databases, web CMS)
- Strong analytical/problem-solving skills.
- Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
Education and Experience Required:
- Advanced degrees of MD and Ph.D. in a relevant biomedical, computational, or engineering discipline.
- Minimum 3–5 five years of postdoctoral or equivalent research track record with demonstrated productivity of high-impact peer-reviewed publications.
- Exposure to AI/ML-enabled biology, advanced imaging, systems immunology, or inflammation biology.
- Experience with multi-omics or high-dimensional data analysis.
- Demonstrated experience working in cross-disciplinary teams.
- Excellent scientific communication and organizational skills.
Education and Experience Preferred:
- Experience in scientific proposal development
- Experience in facilitating workshops or training courses.
- Experience in developing and maintaining online resources and tools.
Licensure, Certification or Registration Required:
N/A
