UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Regenerative Medicine
About The Position
The Department of Regenerative Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina is recruiting a full-time Research Specialist I for a basic science research laboratory focused on cardiac and connective tissue diseases. The role works under general supervision by Dr. Norris and senior lab personnel and calls for motivated, well-organized individuals with excellent communication skills who want to contribute to a team environment. The Research Specialist I performs histological, molecular biology, cell culture, and animal research tasks. Responsibilities include tissue processing, embedding and sectioning; immunostaining and microscopy; mouse husbandry and genotyping; tissue collection; molecular assays; and generating and maintaining gastrointestinal organoids. The position also supports laboratory operations, maintains records and equipment, and assists with experimental documentation and analysis.
Requirements
- 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.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to contribute to a team atmosphere.
- 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.
- Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including lifting and carrying specified loads, repetitive and fine motor activity, working in confined spaces and temperature extremes, maintaining specified vision and hearing capabilities, and qualifying for respirator use.
Nice To Haves
- Previous laboratory experience is helpful but not required.
- Pursuit and/or completion of a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or another life or health science is listed as a preferred qualification.
Responsibilities
- Independently perform basic histological techniques, including tissue processing, embedding, and sectioning.
- Perform immunostaining and acquire micrographs after training in immunohistochemical techniques and microscopy.
- Fix tissue and/or cells, embed tissue in paraffin or OCT, and perform sectioning.
- Work with lab members on husbandry of transgenic and targeted mouse lines, including genotyping, weaning, line maintenance, and general husbandry.
- Assist with mouse dissection, tissue collection, and tissue processing.
- Perform DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and agarose gel electrophoresis.
- Extract RNA, synthesize cDNA, run qRT-PCR, and perform cell culture experiments and maintenance.
- Generate gastrointestinal organoids from tissue and maintain intestinal organoids in vitro.
- Perform laboratory maintenance, including washing glassware, preparing solutions such as PBS, organizing the laboratory, tracking essential supplies, and creating an inventory of reagents and items.
- Maintain equipment, including checking scale and pipet accuracy.
- Maintain accurate records of animals and experimental procedures.
- Use Google Docs, Excel, and Word; assist with writing protocols, optimizing experiments, backing up computers, performing statistical analysis, and recording experimental protocols and data.
- Work rotating shifts and overtime as required.
- Learn and use new processes, tools, and equipment as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
