UNIV - Staff Scientist I - Department of Neuroscience

Job Description Summary

The Mulholland lab at the Neuroscience Department of MUSC is seeking a talented, motivated and detail-oriented staff scientist to join our lab in the Charleston Alcohol Research Center. We are looking for an individual with experience in neuroscience who is looking for an opportunity to lead research in our lab studying the effects of alcohol on the brain and how those changes contribute to alcohol-related behavioral deficits. This is an ideal position to advance in both basic science and translational research and suited for those who hold an advanced degree in biological science, such as biology or neurosciences.

Dr. Mulholland’s research focuses on K+ channels and their role in modulating plasticity of glutamatergic synapses and intrinsic excitability associated with alcohol drinking and dependence and stress experiences. His research program utilizes a broad range of techniques (electrophysiology, confocal and light sheet imaging, molecular biology, pharmacology, fiber photometry, functional genomics, omics approaches, and behavioral paradigms) to explore neural mechanisms of alcohol misuse and stress neurobiology. Moreover, His lab is using novel approaches and technologies to record and measure activity in neural subpopulations and circuits during ongoing behaviors, including excessive alcohol drinking and cognitive behaviors in rodents. Visit the Mulholland Lab website for more information: https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/neuroscience/research-scholarship/labs/mulholland

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC000984 COM NEURO RES Operations CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-00

Pay Range

0.00 - 0.00 - 0.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Mulholland lab at the Neuroscience Department of MUSC is seeking a talented, motivated and detail-oriented staff scientist to join our lab in the Charleston Alcohol Research Center. We are looking for an individual with experience in neuroscience who is looking for an opportunity to lead research in our lab studying the effects of alcohol on the brain and how those changes contribute to alcohol-related behavioral deficits. This is an ideal position to advance in both basic science and translational research and suited for those who hold an advanced degree in biological science, such as biology or neurosciences.

 

Dr. Mulholland’s research focuses on K+ channels and their role in modulating plasticity of glutamatergic synapses and intrinsic excitability associated with alcohol drinking and dependence and stress experiences. His research program utilizes a broad range of techniques (electrophysiology, confocal and light sheet imaging, molecular biology, pharmacology, fiber photometry, functional genomics, omics approaches, and behavioral paradigms) to explore neural mechanisms of alcohol misuse and stress neurobiology. Moreover, His lab is using novel approaches and technologies to record and measure activity in neural subpopulations and circuits during ongoing behaviors, including excessive alcohol drinking and cognitive behaviors in rodents. Visit the Mulholland Lab website for more information: https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/neuroscience/research-scholarship/labs/mulholland

 

Job Description:

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in conducting cutting-edge research. It is especially suited for those with advanced training in biomedical research to develop further project leadership, support laboratory personnel and provide intellectual input for the Mulholland’s lab research. This position is vital for lab operations, experimental assistance, and contributions to neuroscience research. The ideal individual for this position will be a highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated person to drive the progress of research projects through planning, execution, troubleshooting and data analysis.

Job Duties:

30% - Conduct behavioral studies – Lead and train laboratory staff in behavioral studies, performs intracranial implantation surgeries in mice. Maintain transgenic mouse colonies for experimental purposes. Performs and trains laboratory staff in neural recordings in combination with mouse behavior (imaging and stimulation with optogenetic constructs). Performs and trains laboratory staff in behavioral optogenetic and chemogenetic mouse experiments. It is also the responsibility of the staff scientist to maintain a clean environment of the behavior rooms, upkeep inventory including reagent stocks and aliquots, and oversee equipment maintenance in teamwork with any other lab managers/research specialists in the Mulholland lab.

 

30% - Wet Lab Procedures – Lead laboratory staff in molecular biology techniques, particularly cloning targeting constructs and CRISPR/Cas9, RNA and protein isolation, qRT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining and microscopy, cryosectioning of cryo-frozen tissue blocks, flow cytometry, handling plasmids, preparing lab reagents, analyzing data for scientific reports.

 

15% - General Lab Maintenance and Organization – maintain laboratory supplies and consumables, perform routine cleaning of laboratory and behavioral space, clean glassware and autoclave glassware and plastics, ensure safety and compliance guidelines, introduce new lab members to the lab space and work. Assist the principal investigator in establishing an efficient lab, foster science and training.

 

15% - Ex vivo tissue processing – carry out dissections of tissue from mouse, processing of tissue for further analysis and downstream assays.

 

10% - Prepare initial versions of manuscripts, abstracts, progress reports and SOPs that include publication-quality figures, detailed experimental methods and drafts of the introduction, results and discussion sections. Prepare posters for presentations at national and international meetings.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD, MD or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years research experience post-doctorate
• Modest publication record
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team
• Can Manage projects of moderate size with PI input
• Experience with rodent behavior
• Experience with molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, such as molecular cloning, qRT-PCR, shRNA/siRNA gene knockdown, immunoblotting/immunofluorescence imaging

Additional Knowledge:

• Experience with cognitive behaviors in rodents
• Rodent survival surgeries
• Experience with neural recordings

Additional Job Description

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. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 30 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 30 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 50 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 30 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent) Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. 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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