UNIV - Research Specialist II - Pharmacology & Immunology

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Specialist II will work closely with the Principal Investigator to generate high-quality data for high impact publications, conference presentations and clinical translation. The ideal candidate will have prior hands-on experience with cell culture, DNA/RNA processing, molecular cloning, gene transduction, flow cytometry, and handling mice. Duties include cell culture, molecular cloning, PCR, T cell transduction, flow cytometry, in vitro functional assays of immune effector cells, and measuring antitumor activity in mice. The Caraballo Galva Laboratory in the Hollings Cancer Center and the Department of Pharmacology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina has an open position for a Research Specialist II. The lab focuses on developing the next generation of synthetic switches and tools that will accelerate the clinical translation of CAR T cells and that will render them both safe and effective against solid tumors.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science and one year work experience directly related to the assigned research area.
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/ Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted.
Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, 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

Master's degree in basic science or a related field.
One year of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Execute experiments involving T cell isolation, activation, viral transduction and expansion.
Perform CAR T cell functional assays such as repeat killing, cytokine production, CAR phenotyping, and immunofluorescent staining.
Detect CAR expression, perform lentivirus and retrovirus production.
Isolate RNA and DNA from samples and process samples for single cell RNA sequencing.
Perform molecular cloning, miniprep and maxiprep of DNA.
Design and run PCRs.
Measure cytokine production using ELISA or Luminex assays.
Perform and analyze experiments including multi-parameter flow cytometry and IncuCyte.
Organize lab space and keep track of lab reagents and materials.
Perform cell therapy experiments in mice.
Measure BLI, process peripheral blood, and isolate mononuclear cells and specific cell subsets.
Keep mouse records and mouse inventory.
Perform mouse IV, SC and IP injections.
Monitor mice throughout experiments.
Collect and process tumors.
Perform mouse surgeries as needed.
Maintain lab records of reagents and orders.
Generate reports and summarize experimental results.
Maintain lab notebook updated.
Keep record of lab SOPs, receive lab orders.
Assist in training junior staff on experimental techniques.