FLSA: Hourly

Job Summary: The Wrangle Lab at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking applicants for a Research Specialist II position. Responsibilities of this position will include routine lab maintenance, performing and assisting with experiments and data analysis. Prior experience with laboratory mice and various molecular biology and biochemical assays is preferred. Research interests of the Wrangle Lab focus on the development of novel therapeutic strategies and biomarkers for the treatment and diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Dr. Wrangle’s
research team hypothesizes that NSCLC may be classified by immune-phenotypes based on expression patterns of immune-related genes and pathways known to be important mechanisms of immune escape. This research is facilitated by clinical trials and in close collaboration with several
MUSC oncologists and surgeons.

Payscale Salary Range: UNIV-Band 5: $35,360.00 - $50,394.00 - $65,429.00 (min - mid - max)

Job Duties: 

• 30% - General laboratory responsibilities: o Maintenance of laboratory instruments, supplies, and equipment o Scheduling of routine maintenance o Maintenance of laboratory notebooks and records related to protocols, policy and regulation o Ordering of reagents and supplies - (Essential)
• 30% - Experiments investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in immune cell function: o Processing and performing immunological/genetic analyses of samples from patients on clinical trials o Receiving and processing biologic samples from the clinic o Utilizing cell and molecular biology techniques including cell culture; molecular cloning and enzymatic assays; transfections and gene expression assays; protein, RNA and DNA isolation and separation; ELISA; PCR; flow cytometry; proliferation and apoptosis assays; electroporation; and immunohistochemistry o Designing viral vectors; developing transfection/transduction protocols and in vivo experiments o Coordination of imaging efforts, analysis of chromatin and multispectral images o Arranging specialized analyses of samples by external companies. Preparing shipments under consideration of regulations for international import/export of biological materials. - (Essential)
• 20% - Small laboratory animals: o Collection and processing of fluids and tissues o Administration of drugs and cells (i.v., i.p., s.c. injections) o Monitoring of tumor growth o Oversee overlapping experiments and sacrifice mice at set time points o Cellular, chemical, and DNA analyses of blood and tissue samples - (Essential)
• 20% - Data analysis: o Graphing out data including tumor growth, CBC data from clinical trials, flow cytometry data, etc. o Using software including Graphpad Prism, FlowJo, OMIQ, Snapgene, Biorender, and Adobe Illustrator o Experience with (bio)informatics preferred o Presenting data during lab meetings, as well as analyzing and preparing data for external collaborators o Preparing publication quality figures, may be involved in writing of manuscripts o Efforts will directly contribute to grant applications and publication efforts of the laboratory - (Essential)

Preferred Experience & Additional Skills: Preferred to have Master’s degree or previous experience in cell culture, molecular biology, mouse handling, and/or skills listed under Job Duties below.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science and one year work experience directly related to the assigned research area.

Physical Requirements: 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 20/20 vision, corrected. (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)