UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Neuroscience
About The Position
The Zamudio Alcohol Research Lab in the Neuroscience department at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a detail-oriented, motivated research specialist. The position supports a newly NIH/NIAAA-funded project evaluating the role of the cerebellum in alcohol use disorder using a mouse model of alcohol dependence. The work will investigate how the cerebellum may modulate addiction-related behaviors, including escalation of alcohol consumption. This role offers experience in biomedical research and training in techniques such as ex-vivo electrophysiology, chemogenetics, calcium fiber photometry, alcohol exposure protocols, and whole-brain light-sheet microscopy. Training will be provided in all aspects of the job. Experience with rodent disease models is preferred but not required; a strong disposition for learning new techniques is expected. The position may start as early as November 2026.
Requirements
- High school diploma and two years of work experience in a research setting; a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or another natural, life, or health care science may substitute for the two years of required experience.
- Knowledge and/or experience with basic cell and molecular biology protocols.
- Ability to learn more advanced wet-lab techniques, including chemogenetics, slice electrophysiology, and calcium fiber photometry.
- Strong organizational, multitasking, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
- Basic knowledge of biomedical research techniques and neuroscience fundamentals.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in rodent models of disease.
- Experience with mouse handling, IP injections, tissue dissection, and blood collection.
Responsibilities
- Maintain records of ethanol consumption for in-home cage and operant chamber paradigms.
- Run ethanol inhalation chambers, including monitoring vapor ethanol levels, preparing and moving mice into and out of chambers, collecting blood samples, and measuring blood ethanol concentrations.
- Assist with or perform stereotaxic intracranial injection surgeries and fiber photometry recordings, including surgery preparation and postoperative care, delivery of viral vector agents, and/or installation of probes at specific brain coordinates.
- Assist with or perform electrophysiological recordings, including preparing solutions and obtaining live brain slices.
- Depending on performance, train during the first year to perform ex-vivo whole-cell patch-clamp recordings.
- Maintain laboratory supplies and consumables; perform routine cleaning of the laboratory and tissue culture space; clean and autoclave glassware and plastics.
- Ensure safety and compliance guidelines are followed.
- Introduce new lab members to the lab space and work.
- Assist the principal investigator in establishing an efficient lab and fostering science and training.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
