UNIV - Research Specialist III - Department of Pharmacology & Immunology
About The Position
The Research Specialist III will support the experimental bone marrow transplantation laboratories and tumor immunology laboratory of Dr. Paczesny in the Hollings-NCI designated Cancer Center. The work focuses on preclinical models of graft-versus-host disease and acute myeloid leukemia. The specialist performs immunology experiments in murine models, participates in transplantation procedures, and carries out in vitro cellular immunology experiments. The role also includes animal care and colony management, laboratory operations, research data collection and analysis, and maintaining regulatory documentation and compliance. The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week and may require rotating shifts and overtime. The specialist will work with murine organs and cells, including preparing single-cell suspensions, isolating and sorting immune cells, maintaining cell lines, and conducting functional assays. Laboratory work may include CTL assays, mixed lymphocyte reaction cultures, ELISAs, flow cytometry including spectral flow, confocal work, transfection, and infection. The role also supports laboratory supplies and equipment, preparation of reagents, maintenance of research space, and training new lab members in basic experiments.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or another natural, life, or health care science directly related to the assigned research area.
- Two years of advanced journey-level work experience in a clinical or research setting.
- Ability to work independently and good management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, GraphPad, and EndNote.
- 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 materials and equipment, performing repetitive fine-motor tasks, and qualifying for respirator use.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree and at least seven years of experience in immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, or biochemistry.
- Experience with immunology techniques such as CTL assays, mixed lymphocyte reaction cultures, ELISAs, FACS analysis including spectral flow, and transplantation laboratory procedures.
Responsibilities
- Perform immunologic experiments on murine models, including organ harvesting, tissue digestion, flow cytometry, and confocal procedures.
- Isolate and purify T cells and regulatory T cells; sort T cells and other hematopoietic or immune cells.
- Perform cell isolation, cell culture, and in vitro functional assays; maintain cell lines and conduct viability, cytotoxicity, transfection, and infection work.
- Harvest murine organs, including spleen, liver, bone marrow, and lungs, and prepare single-cell suspensions.
- Handle, monitor, and treat mice and perform experimental procedures, including assisting with intravenous and intraperitoneal injections of cellular or antibody-based therapeutics.
- Assist with animal breeding, colony management, and genotyping of transgenic animals; maintain animal records and comply with institutional animal-care and biosafety protocols.
- Participate in transplantation procedures, including marrow isolation, spleen-cell purification, irradiation and/or chemotherapy, and small-animal handling and injection.
- Observe and score animals and coordinate procurement, breeding, housing, and care of experimental animals.
- Collect and analyze experimental data and generate figures; record and analyze research results.
- Support daily laboratory operations by stocking supplies, preparing buffers, aliquoting reagents, maintaining frozen cells with liquid nitrogen, autoclaving biological waste, and preparing and maintaining laboratory work areas.
- Coordinate maintenance of the research space with MUSC, including repairs, waste disposal, and cleaning needs.
- Help prepare and refine laboratory protocols and keep IBC and IACUC protocols up to date.
- Train new laboratory members in basic experiments.
- Perform additional duties assigned by the Principal Investigator.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
