UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Medicine: Division of Rheumatology

Medical University of South Carolina • Charleston, SC

2d

About The Position

We are seeking a candidate who will assist our ongoing research directed toward understanding mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis. The candidate will perform supervised work on several projects using mice, human samples, and cultured cells. General duties will include breeding, weaning and genotyping genetically altered mice, assisting in collection, processing and cataloging tissue samples from mice, culture of primary cells, RNA and protein extraction, performing various biologic analyses (gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, qRT-PCR, immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, etc.), analyzing protein levels in blood of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and controls, and participating in laboratory discussions, organization and regulatory procedures. Maintenance of up-to-date, comprehensive and neat laboratory records will be required. Will require occasional weekend work.

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.

Nice To Haves

• The candidate should possess strong organizational and communication skills, a talent for managing diverse tasks and more than one project, and an ability to work well in a team.
• Knowledge about small-volume fluid handling, RNA procedures, tissue culture/sterile technique, mouse manipulation, ELISA, and general cell, molecular, biochemical, and/or immunological methods is preferred, and experience in these areas is desired.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques and primary sterile cell culture techniques preferred.
• Candidate should be highly motivated, detail oriented, and committed to excellence.
• The ideal candidate will have a keen intellectual interest in the science behind the projects and a demonstrated commitment to increasing their background knowledge about their work.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for stated requirements.
• Proficiency with computers and experience with spreadsheet, statistical, and graphical software are also preferred.
• Previous experience handling mice is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform variety of cell and molecular biological techniques, record data.
• Analyze experimental results using appropriate software; help prepare experimental results for presentation and publication.
• Analyze blood samples or conditioned media for target proteins using ELISA assays.
• Assist in culture of primary cells and cell lines, perform gain and loss of function experiments such as siRNA transfection and adenoviral infection.
• Maintain mouse colony and perform experimental and routine procedures using established approvals and protocols.
• Develop and test new laboratory methods to meet changing needs; troubleshoot experimental protocols.
• Maintain laboratory supplies; prepare media, buffers, and other reagents as needed. Keep complete laboratory records/notebook.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees