UNIV - Staff Scientist I - Department of Medicine: Division of GI

Medical University of South Carolina • Charleston, SC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Swanson Laboratory within the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and collaborative Staff Scientist. The laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms governing gastrointestinal mucosal barrier integrity, with a primary focus on how circadian rhythms, environmental desynchrony (such as shift work), and mucosal dysbiosis regulate intestinal permeability, epithelial tight junctions, and inflammation. The Staff Scientist will play a central role in driving experimental workflows, managing day-to-day operations, and contributing scientifically to ongoing NIH-funded projects using murine models, primary human and murine intestinal organoid systems, and clinical biospecimens.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Gastroenterology, Cellular/Molecular Biology, Physiology, Immunology, or a closely related biological science discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of productive postdoctoral or related research experience.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated track record of scientific productivity as evidenced by first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Significant experience with mammalian tissue culture and standard molecular biology techniques (qPCR, Western blot, confocal/fluorescence microscopy).
• Proven ability to work independently, design rigorous controls, troubleshoot technical challenges, and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
• Direct experience with 3D intestinal organoid (enteroid/colonoid) culture systems and barrier permeability assays.
• Prior work in circadian biology paradigms, chronobiology assays, or rhythmic gene expression profiling.
• Hands-on experience with rodent handling, colony management, oral gavage, tissue harvesting, and in vivo gut permeability assays (e.g., FITC-dextran).
• Familiarity with bioinformatics pipelines for transcriptomic (RNA-seq) or microbiome data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform RNA/DNA extraction, quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, high-resolution immunofluorescence microscopy, ELISA, and sample preparation for next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq, 16S rRNA/metagenomics).
• Analyze and interpret complex biological datasets; assist with manuscript preparation, figure generation, and preliminary data acquisition for grant submissions (NIH R01, VA, and foundation awards).
• Design and conduct hypothesis-driven experiments evaluating circadian control of intestinal epithelial barrier function, tight junction dynamics (e.g., claudins, occludin, ZO-1), and host-microbiome interactions.
• Establish, maintain, and passage primary human and murine intestinal enteroids/colonoids, including 2D monolayer differentiation, trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assays, and macromolecular permeability testing.
• Oversee and execute rodent protocols involving circadian light/dark manipulations, shift-work simulation paradigms, mucosal injury/colitis models, and metabolic/permeability assessments.
• Maintain laboratory compliance with MUSC IACUC, IBC, and chemical safety standards; oversee inventory and equipment maintenance; train and mentor postdocs, fellows, graduate students, and research technicians.

Benefits

• The Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree