UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Dermatology

Medical University of South Carolina • Charleston, SC

4d

About The Position

The Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Specialist I to join the laboratory of Dr. Ting Gong. The Gong laboratory focuses on basic and translational research in dermatology, including skin biology, cutaneous disease models, and molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory dermatoses, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. The Research Specialist I will work under general supervision and will support ongoing laboratory research by performing routine molecular, cellular, and histological techniques, assisting with animal studies, and contributing to laboratory organization, safety, and regulatory compliance. This position provides hands-on research experience in a collaborative academic environment.

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.
• 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 push/ 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.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine laboratory experiments under supervision, including mammalian cell culture, Western blotting, PCR/RT-qPCR, histological staining (H&E), immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and multiplex immunofluorescence. Prepare samples for molecular, protein, and imaging analyses in accordance with established protocols.
• Assist with mouse husbandry and colony maintenance, including breeding, weaning, genotyping , and record keeping. Support dermatology-related animal studies and assist with animal procedures, tissue collection, processing, and sample storage in compliance with approved IACUC protocols.
• Support daily laboratory operations by preparing reagents and buffers, maintaining inventories , ordering and receiving laboratory supplies, and organizing laboratory space . Assist with routine maintenance of laboratory equipment to ensure efficient laboratory function.
• Follow MUSC laboratory safety and environmental health policies. Assist in maintaining laboratory SOPs, chemical inventories, SDS documentation, and biosafety records. Support regulatory compliance activities, including IACUC and IBC documentation, as needed.
• Assist with data organization, basic statistical analysis, figure preparation, and interpretation of experimental results. Contribute to laboratory meetings, presentations , and scientific discussions. Support manuscript preparation, grant-related documentation, and collaborative projects with core facilities and other research groups.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED