Senior Academic Research Scientist - School of Medicine, Pathology

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

The Sekaly Lab seeks a dynamic translational scientist with deep expertise in immunogenomics, multi-omics technologies, and assay development. The successful candidate will lead the design, optimization, and application of advanced workflows to uncover mechanisms of immune regulation and disease pathogenesis. This role supports high-impact programs in HIV cure research, cancer immunotherapy, host-pathogen interactions, and vaccine response, advancing the labs systems biology approach to immune dysfunction.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• The Senior Academic Research Scientist is recognized as an authority in the scientific field both inside and outside of Emory University and requires significant achievements in leadership and recognition in support of Emory research or translational science or original scientific research together with a demonstrated ability to manage major components of the Emory scientific mission.
• Duties will include designing, developing, and conducting laboratory or translational research experiments, as well as overseeing and managing all technical aspects of the laboratory.
• The Sr. Academic Research Scientist will monitor quality control and recommend new processes or equipment to help improve laboratory operations.
• The Senior Academic Research Scientist will be expected to assist in grant and other funding applications as necessary and appropriate, and will be expected to have significant authorship on publications.
• May have supervisory responsibilities. Performs other responsibilities as required.

ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS:

• Lead development of integrated single-cell workflows (e.g., scRNA-seq, CITE-seq, ATAC-seq).
• Optimize sample prep and fixation protocols to preserve multi-analyte integrity.
• Evaluate, implement, and adapt emerging sequencing platforms and instrumentation.
• Drive innovation in process development and technology platforms through hands-on experimentation and strategic planning.
• Design and implement mechanistic and perturbation assays to validate and advance therapeutic targets.
• Oversee preclinical studies involving immune modulation using CRISPR/Cas9, lentiviral vectors, or epigenetic editing.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to co-develop novel reagents and experimental protocols.
• Partner with computational teams to derive insights from multi-modal datasets.
• Work closely with academic and industry collaborators on translational programs.
• Mentor trainees and junior scientists; contribute to scientific strategy, grants, and publications.
• Help define scientific priorities and foster standardization of assay protocols across projects.Required Qualifications
• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Genomics, or related field, with 10+ years of translational research experience.
• Proven expertise in single-cell genomics, functional assay development, and immune profiling.
• Hands-on experience with CRISPR-based genome editing in cell lines, primary cells, and organoids.
• Strong knowledge of immune cell biology, gene regulation, and high-dimensional data generation.
• Demonstrated leadership in collaborative research, mentorship, and team coordination.
• Familiarity with clinical specimens and regulatory considerations in assay development.
• Basic bioinformatics proficiency and ability to collaborate on data analysis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD and 10 years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab
• OR master's degree and 12 years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab
• OR bachelor's degree and 15 years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab.
• Laboratory experience should be based on area of assignment. Internship experience or experience prior to attaining the qualifying degree is not considered eligible work experience for this job classification.

PREFERRED QULAIFICATIONS:

• Experience with spatial transcriptomics and epigenetic editing platforms.
• Expertise in cell engineering and 3D/organoid models.
• Track record of industry engagement or translational research partnerships.
• Competence in developing and executing bioinformatics pipelines for multi-omics data.

NOTE: Position tasks are required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location; working remote is not an option. Emory reserves the right to change this status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: ... (V) | ... (TDD).

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