About the department

The vision of the Oncology Department is to transcend boundaries to lead discovery and its translation into transformative clinical investigations, education, and compassionate patient care that will provide cures for childhood cancer and ensure quality of life across the patient’s lifespan.

Our Oncology faculty are world leaders in identifying novel drugs and treatment modalities, defining the clinical significance of recently discovered genetic abnormalities of cancer cells, understanding mechanisms of cancer development and drug resistance, identifying children at risk for the development of cancer, and understanding and preventing late effects of therapy. We aim to share our unique clinical expertise with colleagues nationally through our many clinical trial consortia and worldwide through our partnership with St. Jude Global. The ultimate goal of our research is to ensure that every child with cancer receives curative therapy and that this therapy allows them the potential for a healthy, long-lasting life.

About the Chair

Dr. Julie R. Park is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist who is interested in developing and advancing new approaches to childhood cancer therapy. Dr. Park received her MD from the University of Vermont and completed residency training in pediatrics at the University of Washington. Dr. Park then completed a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. 

She has been funded as a Fellow for the Leukemia Society of America at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and an investigator on NCI and NIH grants. As a Member of the St. Jude Faculty and Chair of the Oncology Department, Dr. Park is interested in discovering the molecular and immunologic vulnerabilities of solid tumor malignancies, such as neuroblastoma, and using this information to inform clinical trials centered on novel therapies for children with relapsed or refractory high-risk tumors. 


Department directors

Meaghan Granger

Meaghan Granger, MD
Associate Member
Director of Oncology Clinical Medicine


Rebecca Gardner

Rebecca Gardner, MD
Associate Member
Director of Cellular Therapy Integration

Apply now to open faculty positions!

Divisions

Initiatives and Collaborations

  • Comprehensive Cancer Center

    St. Jude is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children.

Selected Publications


Fellowships

Operations team

Mary Griffin, Director of Operations

Tiffany Smith, Administrative Manager

Shemika Jones, Manager Finance & Grants


Strategic team

Alejandra Gonzalez Ruiz, MD, MIH, Senior Program Manager- Oncology Strategic Initiatives

Veronica Espinosa Medina, Program Coordinator, Oncology Strategic Initiatives

J.T. Webb, Program Coordinator, Communications

View current openings 

Posted March 24, 2025
Bereavement Program Manager – Quality of Life and Palliative Care
  • Memphis, TN
  • Oncology
  • Psychosocial Services
Join Our Team!Dr. Deena Levine is seeking a committed and adaptable Bereavement Program Manager to join the Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care within the Oncology Department. This unique position encompasses clinical care and program management, responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of bereavement support for patients and their families. The ideal candidate will excel in advocacy, education, community networking, and program development. Additionally, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing grief counseling services, evaluating program effectiveness, creating educational materials, and collaborating with internal and external healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive support. The role is structured for an advanced practice provider (or qualified licensed psychosocial provider) and includes approximately 20% clinical practice.The Bereavement Program Manager will collaborate closely with Dr. Levine to lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive psychosocial service and/or clinical program, defining objectives, approaches, and goals. We seek a candidate with a strong background in psychosocial services, experience in managing psychosocial and/or clinical services programs, and a talent for collaborating with leaders to inform decision-making. We welcome applications from advanced practice providers, psychologists, social workers, and other psychosocial providers with the requisite education, experience, and licensure in the respective fields.By joining our team as a Bereavement Program Manager, you will have the opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families during a critical time, contributing to a culture of care and compassion that truly matters. Job Responsibilities:Lead the planning and execution of a psychosocial service and/or clinical program including defining objectives, approaches, goals, governance mechanisms, resource deployment, periodic reviews, contingency planning, and periodic reporting and communication.Collaborate with cross-functional teams internally and externally to achieve defined outcomes aligned with departmental strategies.Drive internal stakeholder management and communications, management of external vendors, and strong partnership with stakeholders inside and outside the institution.Track program and/or project success.Provide oversight and management of program budgets through planning, controlling, and tracking expenditures.Provide more complex analysis of data to create reports for senior leadership.Provide anticipatory, peri-mortem, and post-mortem bereavement counseling for patients and families, as well as referral for additional services where warranted.May participate in Psychiatric/Bereavement crisis response in accordance with the role.Oversee individual and collective assignments for clinical, educational, academic and programmatic bereavement needs to ensure optimal bereavement care and resources institutionally.Work regularly with bereaved parent advisors, educators, and steering committee members as well as lead bereavement related communication and engagement. Minimum Education and/or Training:Master's degree in Social Work, Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Psychology, Child Life, or other related psychosocial field required.Minimum Experience:Master's degree and 4+ years of experience in psychosocial services.2+ years of experience managing psychosocial and/or clinical services programs.Relevant certifications required, as applicable, within psychosocial and/or clinical services area.Experience designing and managing programs with focus on stakeholder needs.Proven experience engaging with leaders to facilitate decision-making.Experience providing guidance and mentorship.Experience driving continuous program improvement projects.Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by Law:As applicable, must possess a current Advanced Practice Nurse License issued by the Tennessee State Board of Nursing (LC: AP-TN) As applicable, a nurse must possess a current Tennessee State Board of Nursing license if the primary residence is Tennessee or a nurse licensure non-compact state (LC: RN-TN). Must possess a current State Board of Nursing license in the state ofa primary residence if the state is a Nurse Licensure Compact state (LC: RN-ARK, RN-MISS or RN-KY) As applicable, Nurse Practitioner Certification: American Nurses Credentialing Center (LC: ANCC-NP) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (LC: AA-NP) or Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (LC: PNCB)CompensationIn recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $104,000 - $186,160 per year for the role of Bereavement Program Manager – Quality of Life and Palliative Care.Explore our exceptional benefits!St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity EmployerNo Search FirmsSt. 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.
Posted March 24, 2025
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Oncology -Patel Lab
  • Memphis, TN
  • Oncology
  • Postdoc
A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the lab of Anand G. Patel.Project Description: Our lab is interested in the control and regulation of intratumoral heterogeneity within pediatric cancers. In prior work, we have developed tools and methods to map the cellular diversity of pediatric tumors by adapting single-cell sequencing techniques to archival frozen tumors. In that work, we identified powerful developmental patterns that drive malignant cell state diversity. In rhabdomyosarcoma, we have identified key cell states that are drug-tolerant and drive recurrence. In current projects, we are working to elucidate how individual cell state identities are dynamically regulated during therapy and metastasis.Position Responsibilities:The postdoctoral fellow will work and, ultimately, will lead a multidisciplinary team focused on the study of rhabdomyosarcoma. Multiple projects are available, focused on the reciprocal interaction between tumor cells and the extracellular matrix, drivers of lineage plasticity in fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma, and regulators of tumor stem-like hierarchies in mixed cell populations. The fellow will be expected to develop skills in cell biology, single-cell sequencing, preclinical modeling, and epigenetic profiling. In addition to designing and performing experiments, the fellow will be expected to coordinate collaborations and prepare manuscripts for publication. Trainees will have access to professional development opportunities, including training in scientific communication, manuscript publication, and grant writing. The fellow will be encouraged (but not required) to prepare and submit grant proposals.Minimum Education and/or Training:The candidate should have a strong background in cancer biology, cell biology, or related fields. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in biology or computational biology.Special Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:Experience in cell culture, epigenomics/transcriptomics, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and/or cell culture are desirable. Candidates with additional expertise in 3D cell culture, xenografting, and/or single-cell sequencing would be highly competitive. Bioinformatic experience would be welcomed, though no prior expertise is required for this position. Candidates should possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, be open to developing new and cutting-edge methods, and be highly motivated.About the lab and St. Jude:Upon completion of this postdoctoral fellowship, trainees are expected to be independent and prepared to be leaders in their field of choice. The Patel lab is a multidisciplinary group, and we bridge concepts from molecular biology, computational data science, mechanobiology, pharmacology and translational medicine. Trainees will have access to the deep technical expertise in the lab and participate in wide range of collaborations including other biologists, clinicians, computational biologists, and mathematicians.St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. The first and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Our 300 faculty work across the spectrum of basic, translational, clinical, and population science in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment that includes a Nobel laureate and members of the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Medicine. St. Jude is ranked on Fortune Magazine’s “Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma” and Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work,” and is located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food and culture.We are in pursuit of the brightest minds in biomedical sciences, individuals poised to contribute to our research progress. Other than access to top-quality scientists and mentors, as a postdoctoral trainee at St. Jude, you will have:A Blend of Academic Freedom and Industrial Efficiency: Access to shared resources and facilities led by expert scientists, coupled with cutting-edge technology, accelerates research productivity.Customized Professional and Career Growth: Experience specifically designed programs to enhance professional growth and career readiness empowering postdocs for success beyond their training. This includes access to grant writing workshops, individual development plans, teaching and mentoring opportunities, non-research career advancement programs, professional development allowance, and so much more.Competitive Compensation: Embark on your journey with a competitive salary starting at $72,500 a year, comprehensive benefits and generous relocation assistance, reflecting our commitment to recognize and invest in talent.A Sense of Community: St. Jude fosters a vibrant postdoc community that supports a well-balanced life. A dynamic environment promotes connections and camaraderie among postdocs from all backgrounds.St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity EmployerNo Search FirmsSt. 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.
Posted March 24, 2025
Director Computational Research
  • Memphis, TN
  • Oncology
  • Computational Research
The Director Computational Research leads and manages large/critical complex areas or teams within the department related to Computational Research. Contributes to the overall research strategy and drives implementation in line with Computational Research objectives. This role will also drive resource planning and process development and implementation in line with strategic priorities and support the Computational Research leadership teams.The DISCOVER Director of Computational Research leads and manages large/critical complex areas or teams within the Department of Oncology related to Computational Research. This position will develop and lead the Data Integration and Scientific Collaboration to enable the Virtual Exploration of Childhood CanceR (DISCOVER) research team. This position contributes to the overall research strategy, drives implementation, resource planning and process development in line with Departmental and Institutional Data Science objectives. This position will report directly to the Division Director of Neuro-Oncology and will work closely with the Chair of the Department of Oncology.  DISCOVER is a new and exciting project that aims to build a platform that seamlessly integrates complex clinical and molecular data from pediatric patients with cancer into an easy-to-use visualization tool for instant data query and analytics. To accomplish this, demographics, staging, treatment, outcomes, radiologic, and histologic information will be combined with in depth tumor and germline multi-omic information.  This information will then be abstracted from clinical and research records, imported into a HIPAA compliant unified database, and categorized into an expert-guided data dictionary. Once curated, the aim is to comprehensively display this data on an interactive portal using advanced visualization techniques developed here at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Consequently, this project will drive laboratory, translational, and clinical research discovery across the entire landscape of pediatric cancer.  The DISCOVER team will be comprised of Bioinformatics, Visualization Bioinformatics, and Data Abstraction and Analyst teams. We are seeking a team leader who excels at developing and managing mid-size teams, is skilled at matrix management, and is highly collaborative.  It is essential that candidates have a bachelor’s degree in data science or a related field. It is strongly preferred that candidates have a master’s degree or doctorate (PhD) in data science.  Successful candidates will have expertise in the areas of database development, extraction of complex health-related data, computational research experience in the academic and/or industry settings, have a proven track record of academic productivity including clinical research collaborations, and experience managing and leading interdisciplinary teams. About the Department of Oncology The Department of Oncology provides a highly collaborative and interactive environment where leadership has ample opportunities to participate in clinical, educational, and translational research initiatives. The department has a diverse portfolio of investigator initiated and collaborative studies. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the department has had a steady track record of high productivity disseminating knowledge via presentations and publications, as well as successful grantsmanship. The Department of Oncology is committed to multidisciplinary collaboration for both clinical and research activities.    Job Responsibilities:  Lead and manage large/critical complex areas/teams Contribute to the overall research strategy and roadmap, and drive implementation in line with DISCOVER data science and computational objectives. Drive resource planning and process development/implementation in line with strategic priorities and support the DISCOVER data science and computational leadership team. Collaborate with key leaders in internal functions and partner/vendor organizations to optimize organizational outcomes. Lead systems for governance, monitoring, review, and control of processes and functions performed by the department. Provide input into overall budget and variance management for departmental initiatives. Actively drive processes for team management in terms of goal setting, performance, development, and engagement.  Minimum Education and/or Training:   Bachelor's degree in relevant field with experience and evidence of research output (typically first author publications). Master's degree or higher preferred.  Minimum Experience:   10+ years of relevant experience in functional area within Data Science and/or Computational Research. Experience managing mid-large teams with focus on both achievement of objectives as well as critical skill-building. Experience having led large-scale research programs/projects/processes through to implementation. Experience with operational management, budget planning, and resource management. Prior experience in building external connections with peers and emerging technology/research communities. Significant publication record and/or prior development of data science implementation tools demonstrating relevant experience. Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.   Special Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:   Ability to look at data more critically and draw meaningful conclusions. Conducts root-cause analysis as needed.  Quickly rebounds from setbacks, including creating viable plans to move forward.  Helps others understand the need for change and adapt to it.  Effectively relays understanding of diverse perspectives.  Can handle communication upwards and downwards as needed.  Presents information in a clear, well thought out way and tailored to the audience.  Shows support for the new direction even when the details have not been finalized.  Spots early indications of underperformance and takes corrective actions. Celebrates successes.  Works with partners inside his/her function to find the best solutions that align with functional priorities. Is easy to work with to find solutions.  Familiar with intermediate domain concepts relevant to work area.  Routinely applies domain and data science subdomain knowledge to propose solutions to domain problems.  Continues growing in domain knowledge using scientific journals, talks, and conferences.  Can routinely use domain knowledge to assess quality of data/results  Can answer questions in the domain from early career staff.  May contribute to publications and present work as required.  Leverages a strong understanding of computational research methodologies and operations to deliver work and address operational needs.  Is able to understand research requirements and execute relevant procedures independently.  Independently handles escalations related to process and quality in own area of work.  Engages with cross-functional and senior stakeholders across teams to share relevant insights.  Presents technical information/scientific insights in a structured way, anticipating and preparing for questions.  Demonstrates ability to independently prioritize data necessary for internal/external presentations and publications and drafts portions of these documents.  Drives practical application of research methodologies in own scientific area and other adjacent scientific areas.  Works independently with new technologies and brings new technologies to the attention of peers and leaders for further exploration   CompensationIn recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $138,320 - $262,080 per year for the role of Director Computational Research.Explore our exceptional benefits!St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity EmployerNo Search FirmsSt. 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.
Posted March 20, 2025
Faculty position, Department of Oncology – Neuro-Oncology Division
  • Memphis, TN
  • Oncology
  • Faculty
SJCRHWe seek a highly motivated, faculty-level (clinical track) candidate at the Associate or Assistant Member level with training in hematology-oncology, a proven track of excellence in academic potential, and a strong interest in clinical/translational research and clinical care activities. The preferred candidate should also have experience in mentorship and fellowship training within the academic setting, and in incorporating quality and/or process improvement into daily inpatient/outpatient clinical practice.This position will be in the Division of Neuro-Oncology and within the Department of Oncology.  The faculty member will report directly to the Director of the Neuro-Oncology Division and will provide Neuro-Oncology patients with state-of-the-art care,  participate in clinical research, and seek to optimize clinic operations around clinical research and patient well-being.Also, as an integral team member of the Department of Oncology, the faculty member will ensure alignment of individual goals with divisional, departmental, and institutional strategic goals and initiatives, pursue faculty development, and promote outstanding multidisciplinary care delivery and research activities across the entire department.  This position incorporates clinical education into daily practice to ensure the satisfactory learning experience of Neuro-Onc fellows, Hem-Onc fellows, residents, and medical school students who rotate through the neuro-oncology service.  The Department of Oncology is comprised of seven Divisions inclusive of Leukemia-Lymphoma, Neuro-oncology, Solid Tumor, Palliative Care & Quality of Life, Cancer Predisposition, Cancer Survivorship, and Molecular Oncology. The Department of Oncology is also closely aligned with the St. Jude NCI-funded Comprehensive Cancer Center, with each Oncology Division providing the opportunity for translation of basic and translation research. This department provides a highly collaborative and interactive environment where faculty members have ample opportunities to participate in clinical, educational, and translational research initiatives.  Candidates must have an MD, MD/PhD or DO degree and be Board certified or Board-eligible in pediatric hematology-oncology.  Successful candidates will have expertise in the areas of hematology and oncology, as the faculty member will be involved in clinical care. How to apply:Interested candidates should provide a CV directly onlineSt. Jude is an Equal Opportunity EmployerNo Search FirmsSt. 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.

Contact us

Department of Oncology
MS 260, Room C6056
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678

Email: julie.park@stjude.org
Telephone: (901) 595-4329
Fax: (901) 521-1751

Preferred contact method: email