UNIV - Research Specialist III - Department of Pharmacology

Job Description Summary

A Research Specialist III is sought for studies aimed at characterizing peptide-based nanotubes for drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These nanotubes represent a highly novel drug delivery platform with applications across multiple diseases. We seek a highly motivated individual capable of working independently and developing our research program. Tasks will involve but are not limited to the following: preparing nanotubes of defined length and loading them with small molecule drugs or biologics (monoclonal antibodies) for use in in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) transit studies, and for BBB transit studies in mice. Mouse studies will be carried out in the Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource at Hollings Cancer Center. These studies will require expertise in confocal microscopy for ex vivo localization of fluorescently tagged nanotubes. Work will include executing data analysis on new software, cell culture, microscopy, brain tissue preparation and examination, peptide chemistry and derivatization, data analysis. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a groundbreaking platform technology for drug delivery across the BBB and for difficult to reach tumors.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC001032 COM PHARM Administration CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-06

Pay Range

46,655.00 - 66,488.00 - 86,321.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

• 25% Lab Setup and Management: Assist the principal investigator in establishing an efficient lab that fosters scientific discovery and training. This includes managing/developing SOPs for laboratory protocols and operations such as ordering supplies and organizing lab activities, while contributing to a collaborative and supportive work environment. In addition, this individual is expected to carry out in vitro BBB assays and in vivo mouse studies independently and report results to the PI.

• 30% Molecular and Cellular Assays: Prepare nanotubes and develop a standard operating procedure enabling production scale-up. Monitoring of nanotube assembly will be monitored by confocal microscopy. Set-up and use of an in vitro cell-based model of the BBB is required for initial testing of nanotubes. This includes growing human brain endothelial cells on Transwell inserts placed in an EVOM apparatus and measuring a trans endothelial electrical resistance to assure tight junction presence across the monolayer and then adding nanotubes to the apical domain and follow their shuttling to the basolateral domain. Training of additional personnel including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and Research Specialists is also required.

• 20% Nanotechnology: Loading nanotubes with small molecule drugs and/or biologics (mAbs) during assembly is required. Labeling of nanotubes with fluorescent or near infra-red dyes to enable monitoring their shuttling across the BBB in vitro and in mice in vivo is required.

• 15% Contribute to the planning, design, manuscript writing, grant applications, regulatory documentation, and modification of experiments.

• 10% Intellectual Contributions and Management: The Research Specialist III will maintain a detailed notebook of protocols and experiments performed. The location of these files will be managed locally and on a cloud to ensure safe and secure backup of all laboratory data. This requires use of an electronic research notebook platform (LabArchives). Organizing and participating in lab meetings, presentation of research findings, and contribution to scientific discussions is expected.

MUSC Minimum Training and Experience Requirements:

A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science directly related to the assigned area of research and two years advanced journel-level work experience in a clinical or research setting.

MUSC 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.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science directly related to the assigned area of research and two years advanced journel-level work experience in a clinical or research setting. 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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