UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Biochemistry

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Dr. Delaney, PhD, has an opening in his laboratory for a self-motivated Research Specialist I, to start in the range of April 2026 to June 2026. This position will be dedicated to research tasks to obtain data for the lab and enable the Research Specialist to grow their technical capability in the biological sciences. On the research side, projects are centered on investigating how chromosome changes alter cell biology, particularly in the context of cancer using live mice and cell lines as model systems. We use big data, machine learning, AI, and other cutting edge biological tools like CRISPR-Cas9 and genetically engineered mouse models to address these research questions. As an exciting professional development opportunity, the Research Specialist I will be serving as laboratory manager, managing all aspects of daily laboratory function and regulatory compliance. Opportunities to learn and use R for data science are also available if desired. Connections to medical oncologists are present in the lab. Authorship credit on papers is intended regarding any results generated by the Research Specialist. Candidate is expected to have some, but not extensive, basic, non-clinical research laboratory experience related to job description above. The ideal candidate is very well organized and able to create documentation in Word, Excel, and Google Docs. The Research Specialist must be able to work well in a team setting. Previous experience with mice, cell culture, and bacterial plasmid preps is desired but not required.

Requirements

Some, but not extensive, basic, non-clinical research laboratory experience related to job description.
Very well organized.
Able to create documentation in Word, Excel, and Google Docs.
Able to work well in a team setting.
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/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

Previous experience with mice, cell culture, and bacterial plasmid preps.
Opportunities to learn and use R for data science are also available if desired.

Responsibilities

Serve as lab manager, including keeping the lab safe, clean, and compliant.
Perform multi-month prior to deadline updates to IBC, IACUC, Tick@Lab, safety SOP and training signatures for lab members, and other regulatory system updates as the regulatory environment changes.
Maintain and set up laboratory equipment.
Ensure teammates are fulfilling required tasks designated by Dr. Delaney.
Perform standard mouse cancer experiments, including inoculating human and mouse cancer cells into mouse models.
Monitor tumor growth and mouse safety, including weights, gait, and food or water consumption.
Collect tissue for further experimentation.
Maintain mouse colony, ensuring adequate breeders are routinely in stock.
Wean pups, perform marking or animals, and genotype during weaning.
Coordinate appropriate size of colony with PI, lab members, and university managed facilities.
Order animals as needed from outside vendors.
Perform standard biological assays, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, westerns, qRT-PCR, DNA isolation, lentivirus, and microscopy.
Analyze data in a reportable format, including manipulation of plasmids, bacteria, human, and mouse cell lines.
Utilize standard molecular biology techniques used in laboratories.
Learn from and train others specialized lab skills.
Collaborate with research cores on and off campus for samples which require processing from any lab member.
Keep exceptional records for where biological samples are and follow up with cores as needed to acquire rapid results and return of biological samples.
Keep exceptional laboratory records including lab and office supply inventory, ordering information, common stocks (plasmids, bacteria, cell lines, and antibodies).
Present research routinely to the lab at lab meetings and participate in lab meeting discussions.
Process orders for the laboratory.