UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Biochemistry

Job Description Summary

Dr. Delaney, PhD, has an opening in his laboratory for a self-motivated Research Specialist I, to start approximately January 2026.
This position will be dedicated to research tasks to obtain data for the lab and enable the Research Specialist to grow their technical capability in the biological sciences. On the research side, projects are centered on investigating how chromosome changes alter cell biology, particularly in the context of cancer using mice cell lines as model systems. We use big data and cutting-edge tools to address these research questions.
Candidate is expected to have basic, non-clinical research laboratory experience (minor, including summer or part-time experiences, count). Previous ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo expertise is highly attractive.
The ideal candidate is very well organized and able to create documentation in Word, Excel, and Google Docs. The Research Specialist must be able to work well in a team setting. Previous experience with mice, cell culture, and bacterial plasmid preps is desired but not required. Opportunities to learn and use R for data science are also available if desired. Connections to medical oncologists are present in the lab

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC000954 COM BIOCHEM Operations CC

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-04

Pay Range

33,339.00 - 47,509.00 - 61,680.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job summary:

Dr. Delaney, PhD, has an opening in his laboratory for a self-motivated Research Specialist I, to start approximately January 2026. 

This position will be dedicated to research tasks to obtain data for the lab and enable the Research Specialist to grow their technical capability in the biological sciences. On the research side, projects are centered on investigating how chromosome changes alter cell biology, particularly in the context of cancer using mice cell lines as model systems. We use big data and cutting-edge tools to address these research questions.

Candidate is expected to have basic, non-clinical research laboratory experience (minor, including summer or part-time experiences, count). Previous ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo expertise is highly attractive.

The ideal candidate is very well organized and able to create documentation in Word, Excel, and Google Docs. The Research Specialist must be able to work well in a team setting.  Previous experience with mice, cell culture, and bacterial plasmid preps is desired but not required. Opportunities to learn and use R for data science are also available if desired. Connections to medical oncologists are present in the lab.

MUSC Minimum Training and Education Requirements:

A high school diploma and two years' work experience in a clinical or research setting; a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science may be substituted for the two years of required experience.

Job Duties:

30% Perform mouse cancer experiments. Inoculate human and mouse cancer cells into mouse models. Monitor tumor growth and mouse safety, including weights, gait, and food or water consumption. Establish immunohistochemical and other biological findings from these experiments.

20% Perform mouse tissue assays. This includes genotyping by PCR, immunohistochemistry of controls and experimental test agents, and other assays related to the biology of the mice.

20% Biological assays, westerns, qRT-PCR, DNA isolation, lentivirus, perform microscopy, and analyze data in a reportable format. This will include manipulation of plasmids, bacteria, human, and mouse cell lines and organoids. All other methods are standard molecular biology techniques used in laboratories.

15% Learn from and train others on specialized lab skills

5% Keep exceptional laboratory records including lab and office supply inventory, ordering information, common stocks (plasmids, bacteria, cell lines, and antibodies).

5% Present your research routinely to the lab at lab meetings and participate in lab meeting discussions

5% Keep the lab safe, clean, and compliant. Contribute to lab maintenance duties.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma and two years work experience in a clinical or research setting; a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science may be substituted for the two years of required experience. Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb, using step stool. (Infrequent) Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent) Ability to fully use both legs. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction. (Continuous) Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/ Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level. (Frequent) Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally. (Continuous) Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous) Ability to hear and/or understand conversations. (Continuous) Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually. (Continuous) Additional New Requirements: Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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