UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Pharmacology & Immunology

UNIV
- Research Specialist I
- Department of Pharmacology & Immunology

The Wang Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina is recruiting a Research Specialist I to contribute to cutting-edge research in cancer immunology. This job focuses on understanding how genetic alterations in cancer cells influence tumor progression and therapeutic response. The Research Specialist will be responsible for the maintenance and organization of a basic science laboratory, with particular emphasis on performing cell and molecular biology techniques, and ordering/maintaining lab supplies.

We seek a highly motivated individual. A candidate with previous experience in western blotting, PCR, and cell culture is preferred.

The specific tasks include:

• Cell culture and in vitro functional assays (30%). Maintaining cell lines; proliferation, migration analysis, etc.; transformation, transfection, and infection.
• Perform routine maintenance of and experimentation in mice (25%). These responsibilities include breeding and weaning, genotyping, and treatment with various agents. Assist with managing mouse colonies. Assists PI in ensuring that lab personnel adhere to IACUC animal protocol.
• Assist with daily lab operations (20%). The selected candidate will assist with daily lab operations, including stocking consumables and reagents, preparing buffers, and aliquoting reagents. Facilitate general maintenance of the research space by working with MUSC to ensure that the laboratory area is maintained and that repairs, waste disposal, and cleaning needs are addressed in a timely manner.
• Perform molecular biology experiments (20%). Molecular biology experimentation employing various techniques, including isolation and purification of nucleic acids and proteins, PCR, Western blot, and plasmid cloning. Proteins will be further analyzed by immunoprecipitation and/or western blot. The molecular experiment might be adjusted to meet the needs of the project.
• Additional duties assigned by the Principal Investigator (5%). This will include helping prepare lab protocols, figures, and others.

MUSC Minimum Training and Experience 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.

Preferred

Education and Experience:

A bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, or life science.

Must have previous experience in a laboratory.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong organizational, record-keeping, interpersonal, and communication skills required. Must be able to perform complex calculations, follow complicated experimental procedures and methods, and develop independence with tasks and experiments. Prior experience working with mice is valued, and recombinant DNA work, RNA and protein analysis are preferred. Some weekends, holidays, and/or evenings may be required due to experimental needs.

Position start date:
May 1-September 1, 2026