Medical University of South Carolina
Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Salary
$37,200 - $59,500 / YEAR
This Research Specialist I will provide technical assistance to the Principal Investigator on cancer research studies, focusing on performing cell and molecular biology techniques like cell culture, functional assays, and molecular experiments such as PCR and Western blotting. Responsibilities also include routine maintenance and experimentation involving mice, and assisting with daily lab operations like stocking and waste disposal.
Minimum requirements include a high school diploma and two years of work experience in a clinical or research setting, or a bachelor's degree in a relevant science substituted for the experience. Preferred qualifications include a bachelor's degree in biology or biochemistry, previous laboratory experience, and specific skills like Western blotting, PCR, and cell culture.
Summary The Wang Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina is recruiting a Research Specialist I to contribute to cutting-edge research in cancer immunology. This job focuses on understanding how genetic alterations in cancer cells influence tumor progression and therapeutic response. The Research Specialist will be responsible for the maintenance and organization of a basic science laboratory, with particular emphasis on performing cell and molecular biology techniques, and ordering/maintaining lab supplies. We seek a highly motivated individual. A candidate with previous experience in western blotting, PCR, and cell culture is preferred. Entity Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ) Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Research Grant Cost Center CC001034 COM PHARM Operations CC Pay Rate Type Hourly Pay Grade University-GEN06 Pay Range 37,200.00 - 48,300.00 - 59,500.000 Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Work Shift
Percent Effort This Research Specialist I position will provide technical assistance to the Principal Investigator on cancer research studies and assist with lab operations. The following are the specific tasks: Cell culture and in vitro functional assays (30%). Maintaining cell lines; proliferation, migration analysis, etc.; transformation, transfection, and infection. Perform routine maintenance of and experimentation in mice (25%). These responsibilities include breeding and weaning, genotyping, and treatment with various agents. Assist with managing mouse colonies. Assists PI in ensuring that lab personnel adhere to IACUC animal protocol. Assist with daily lab operations (20%). The selected candidate will assist with daily lab operations, including stocking consumables and reagents, preparing buffers, and aliquoting reagents. Facilitate general maintenance of the research space by working with MUSC to ensure that the laboratory area is maintained and that repairs, waste disposal, and cleaning needs are addressed in a timely manner. Perform molecular biology experiments (20%). Molecular biology experimentation employing various techniques, including isolation and purification of nucleic acids and proteins, PCR, Western blot, and plasmid cloning. Proteins will be further analyzed by immunoprecipitation and/or western blot. The molecular experiment might be adjusted to meet the needs of the project. Additional duties assigned by the Principal Investigator (5%). This will include helping prepare lab protocols, figures, and others. MUSC Minimum Training and Experience 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. Preferred Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, or life science. Must have previous experience in a laboratory. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong organizational, record-keeping, interpersonal, and communication skills required. Must be able to perform complex calculations, follow complicated experimental procedures and methods, and develop independence with tasks and experiments. Prior experience working with mice is valued, and recombinant DNA work, RNA and protein analysis are preferred. Some weekends, holidays, and/or evenings may be required due to experimental needs. Position start date: May 1-September 1, 2026 Additional
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
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. Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees Thank you for wanting to be part of the Medical University of South Carolina team. Whether you want to teach the next generation of health care leaders, innovate new business models, discover the next breakthrough or provide patient care, there's a role for you that fuels your passion and takes advantage of your skills. There are career opportunities available in academics, research, hospital medicine, physician practices and support services, from patient billing to IT. As an applicant, you can search jobs for all MUSC entities as well as search by category and location. MUSC attracts more than $250 million annually in research funding, making it the biggest magnet for biomedical, extramural research dollars of all institutions of higher learning in South Carolina. The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program aims to advance clinical and translational science to increase the speed at which new treatments become available to patients. MUSC Health, the clinical enterprise, operates a 750 bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (one of fewer than 70 elite National Cancer Institute designated centers), a Level I Trauma Center and the Institute of Psychiatry. In addition, there are more than 100 outreach clinics, hospital/health system affiliations, and telehealth sites. U.S. News & World Report placed us among the top one percent of all American hospitals, with 11 specialties in the top 50. The MUSC Medical Center is also one of only three Magnet® designated hospitals in South Carolina.
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