UNIV - Staff Scientist I - Pediatrics: DCRI

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

14d

About The Position

The Department of Pediatrics, Darby Children’s Research Institute’s Laboratory of Dr. Haemmerich is seeking a part-time (50% FTE) Staff Scientist to assist ongoing research efforts to develop targeted chemotherapy delivery for cancer treatment. Specifically, the job duties will include producing liposomal drug carriers, cancer cell culture, and maintenance of and studies with rodent cancer models. The staff scientist will be expected to handle rodents and may assist in catheter implantation procedures. Further, supervising and mentoring of other lab members such as lab technicians and students is expected, as well as assistance with editing and writing manuscripts and grant proposals. Interested candidates should submit an application including a complete CV and contact information of three references to Dr. Dieter Haemmerich ([email protected]).

Requirements

A doctoral degree in Bioengineering, Biophysics or a related engineering field, and two years’ work experience in academic research or commercial R&D setting.
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 20/20 vision, corrected.
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 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 stairs.
Ability to work indoors.
Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers.
Ability to bend at the waist.
Ability to twist at the waist.
Ability to perform 'pinching' operations.
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.
Possess good finger dexterity.
Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions.
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function.
Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs., unassisted.
Ability to lift objects, up to 30 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted.
Ability to lower objects, up to 30 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted.
Ability to push/pull objects, up to 50 lbs., unassisted.
Ability to lift and carry objects up to 30 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings.
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected.
Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand.
Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance.
Ability to match or discriminate between colors.
Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception.
Good peripheral vision capabilities.
Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction.
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements.
Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually.
Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms.
Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license.
Computer literacy.
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.

Responsibilities

Perform routine laboratory experiments, review and analysis of data, and preparation of protocols and reports.
Initiate and monitor xenograft rodent tumor models. This includes injecting cancer cells, and measuring tumor growth.
Assist in therapeutic rodent studies. This includes the intravenous administration of liposomal chemotherapy, blood sampling and animal imaging.
Produce and characterize liposomal drug carriers. This includes formulating the liposomes, measuring release characteristics, and size.
Mentoring and supervision of students and lab technicians.
Assist in writing and editing of manuscripts and grant proposals.
Processing and analysis of tissues such as rodent tumors. This includes the quantification of tumor drug uptake with established methods such as by fluorometry and/or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Assist in animal surgeries. This may include surgical removal of tumors, and implantation of vascular catheters.
Maintain, clear, complete and up-to-date lab notebook and documentation of all experiments, results and reports. This may include organization of results in spreadsheets and other documents.
Assist in ordering of lab supplies, maintaining stocks of experimental reagents and solutions, and maintenance of equipment, glassware, and lab cleaning. This includes preparation of orders via electronic ordering system.
Preparation and maintenance of primary cancer cell cultures. This includes standard cell culture methods, and in some cases cell viability analyses in combination with in vitro efficacy studies.