Do you envision finding a meaningful role with an inclusive and compassionate team? At Children’s Mercy, we believe in making a difference in the lives of all children and shining a light of hope to the patients and families we serve. Our employees make the difference, which is why we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top pediatric hospital, for eleven consecutive years.

Children’s Mercy is in the heart of Kansas City – a metro abounding in cultural experiences, vibrant communities and thriving businesses. This is where our patients and families live, work and play. This is a community that has embraced our hospital and we strive to say thanks by giving back. As a leader in children’s health, we engage in meaningful programs and partnerships throughout the region so that we can improve the lives of children beyond the walls of our hospital.

This position is to advance research training to individuals with a doctoral degree in the biological sciences and to further the basic and translational research goals of the Children's Mercy Research Institute.

The research scientist will conduct high quality research in cell and developmental biology. The Kulesa lab is active in the study of cell migration, cell differentiation and patterning using the neural crest model in avian and mouse organisms. The goals are to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed complex neural crest cell migratory behaviors and differentiation during vertebrate development and the relationship to peripheral nervous system development. In particular, the research scientist will leverage the extensive single cell and spatial profiling data generated by the Kulesa lab and contribute to the research being conducted to address the question of how cell-microenvironment interactions and cell intrinsic factors produce the collective cell migration and assembly of the sympathetic nervous system circuitry. The research scientist will utilize tools in dynamic in vivo state-of-the-art imaging, spatial transcriptomics, multiplexed fluorescence in-situ hybridization, and cellular engineering. Lastly, the research fellow will work closely with clinician scientists to broaden the impact of their studies to explore therapeutic opportunities to treat and prevent human neural crest-related birth defects and disease.

At Children’s Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.

Additionally, it’s important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children’s Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.

• Conduct original biological research in the general areas of molecular, cell, and developmental biology related to the neural crest and peripheral nervous system development
• Wet-bench experiments using cultured cells and cellular and molecular manipulation of cell populations and the microenvironment within the avian and mouse model organisms
• Perform multispectral confocal 3D static and time-lapse microscopy
• Analysis of research data using cell tracking and machine/deep learning tools
• Reporting of research results through manuscript writing
• Attending and participating in educational programs, weekly lab meetings, and scholarly conferences (poster and oral sessions).  

PHD or MD and 3-5 year of experience 

The benefits plans at Children’s Mercy are one of many reasons we are recognized as one of the best places to work in Kansas City. Our plans are designed to meet the changing needs of our employees and their families.

Learn more about Children’s Mercy benefits.

Our pay ranges are market competitive. The pay range for this job begins at $32.87/hr, but your offer will be determined based on your education and experience.

This position is not eligible to work remotely, which means that the person hired will be required to work onsite at one of our Children’s Mercy locations and may not work from home.

Children’s Mercy hires individuals based on their job skills, expertise and ability to maintain professional relationships with fellow employees, patients, parents and visitors. A personal interview, formal education and training, previous work experience, references and a criminal background investigation all are factors used to select the best candidates. The hospital does not discriminate against prospective or current employees based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, creed, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry or veteran status. A drug screen will be performed upon hire. Children’s Mercy is smoke and tobacco free.

CM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Our patients and families come from all walks of life, and so do we. We know that our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team so we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger and our patient care more compassionate.

If you share our values and our enthusiasm for service, you will find a home at CM. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring, including education, ideas, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, color, religion, disability and beliefs.