UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Neuroscience
About The Position
The Zamudio Alcohol Research Lab in the Department of Neuroscience at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a detail-oriented, motivated research specialist for an 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 in dependent animals. The role offers experience and training in biomedical research techniques, including 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 position. The anticipated start date is as early as November 2026. The position is hourly and scheduled for 40 hours per week.
Requirements
- A high school diploma and two years of work experience in a clinical or 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 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.
- Ability to work rotating shifts and overtime as required.
- Ability to learn and use new processes, tools, and equipment as required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with rodent models of disease.
- Experience with mouse handling, intraperitoneal injections, tissue dissection, and blood collection.
- A degree in a STEM-related discipline and basic knowledge of biomedical research techniques and neuroscience fundamentals.
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 to perform ex-vivo whole-cell patch clamp recordings during the first year.
- Maintain laboratory supplies and consumables; perform routine cleaning of laboratory and tissue-culture areas; clean and autoclave glassware and plastics; and ensure safety and compliance guidelines are followed.
- Introduce new lab members to the laboratory space and work.
- Assist the principal investigator in establishing an efficient laboratory and foster science and training.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
