UNIV - Research Laboratory Manager - Department of Medicine: Division of Hematology Oncology

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a highly motivated Research Laboratory Manager to join the laboratory of Dr. Russell W. Jenkins. This position will support and manage day-to-day lab operations and play a key role in planning and executing research projects focused on understanding and overcoming resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Research efforts will involve in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro tumor model systems, with a particular emphasis on ex vivo patient-derived tumor models. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in working with bispecific antibodies, flow cytometry (or mass cytometry), T cell biology, immunology, and cancer immunotherapy. This position requires a high level of technical and scientific expertise, particularly in the use of in vitro co-culture models and/or ex vivo patient-derived tumor models to explore therapeutic mechanisms and responses. In addition to managing lab operations and conducting experiments, the candidate will contribute to the development of new research directions, perform independent data analysis, support manuscript and grant preparation, and present findings at scientific meetings. This role involves processing patient tumor and blood samples from the clinic using advanced lab technologies to evaluate patient response and resistance to immunotherapy. The research is part of a broader collaborative effort between MUSC and the Hollings Cancer Center focused on advancing cancer immunotherapy.

Requirements

Extensive experience in working with bispecific antibodies, flow cytometry (or mass cytometry), T cell biology, immunology, and cancer immunotherapy.
High level of technical and scientific expertise, particularly in the use of in vitro co-culture models and/or ex vivo patient-derived tumor models to explore therapeutic mechanisms and responses.
Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology, microbiology, biochemistry or a closely related field.
Four years’ relevant experience in a clinical or research laboratory environment.
Minimum of one year of experience supervising or managing a research laboratory.
Ability to perform job functions in an upright position.
Ability to perform job functions in a seated position.
Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile.
Ability to climb, using step stool.
Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries.
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces.
Ability to bend at the waist.
Ability to twist at the waist.
Ability to fully use both hands/arms.
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders.
Ability to fully use both legs.
Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions.
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction.
Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted.
Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted.
Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted.
Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted.
Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted.
Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted.
Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level.
Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted.
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements.
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes.
Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally.
Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems.
Ability to hear and/or understand conversations.
Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc.
Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually.
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.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree with 5 years of relevant technical experience as a research associate or equivalent.
Previous experience working with patient-tumor tissue.
Previous laboratory management experience and supervising research technicians.

Responsibilities

Ex vivo 3D microfluidic culture, drug/antibody treatment of murine- and patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (MDOTS/PDOTS) and cell line-derived monotypic tumor spheroids (MTS).
Developing augmented 3D microfluidic organotypic tumor spheroid cultures using matched (autologous) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or CD3+ enriched peripheral T lymphocytes co-culture with MTS/PDOTS.
Perform requisite fluorescence-based viability assessment of MDOTS, PDOTS, and MTS, including staining, microscope operation, image acquisition and image analysis.
Maintain internal records related to MDOTS, PDOTS, and MTS processing along with associated meta-data.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including molecular biologists, biochemists, and clinical researchers, to support translational research efforts.
In conjunction with the PI provide management of laboratory staff, including training, scheduling (lab meetings), and performance evaluations.
Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, including maintenance of equipment, inventory management, and ordering supplies.
Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory requirements in the laboratory.
Monitor and maintain laboratory budgets and expenditures.
Facilitate communication between laboratory personnel and administrative staff.
Collaborate with principal investigators and research teams to facilitate project execution and data collection.
Assist in the development and implementation of research protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Participate in grant writing and provide administrative support for research projects.
Develops new research directions focused on novel small molecule, large molecule, and cellular therapeutics.
Designs and implements strategies for the evaluation of emerging therapeutics approaches.
Develops and adapts experimental models and methodologies to support innovative research initiatives.
Collaborates with cross-functional teams to advance scientific discovery and therapeutic innovation.
Design, execute, and analyze experiments utilizing mouse models to study cancer progression and treatment responses, including tumor implantation, monitoring, and endpoint analysis for efficacy (tumor volume, survival) and correlative (immunophenotyping, single cell RNA-sequencing) studies using established and novel mouse models of cancer.
Troubleshoots and resolves equipment malfunctions to minimize downtime and ensure smooth operation of laboratory instruments and workflows.
Identifies and resolves issues in experimental assays to ensure accurate and reliable results, maintaining the integrity of laboratory procedures and data quality.
Graphing and visualization of data with software including Graphpad Prism, FlowJo, Snapgene, Biorender, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Illustrator.
Document and present research findings in internal meetings, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.
Preparing publication quality figures.
Participate in grant writing and provide administrative support for research projects.
Assist in mentoring junior scientists and students in laboratory techniques and research methodologies.