UNIV - Research Specialist I - Department of Dermatology

Research Specialist I - Department of Dermatology

The Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Specialist I to join the laboratory of Dr. Ting Gong. The Gong laboratory focuses on basic and translational research in dermatology, including skin biology, cutaneous disease models, and molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory dermatoses, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. The Research Specialist I will work under general supervision and will support ongoing laboratory research by performing routine molecular, cellular, and histological techniques, assisting with animal studies, and contributing to laboratory organization, safety, and regulatory compliance.

This position provides hands-on research experience in a collaborative academic environment.

Job duties include:

• Laboratory research (35%):
  Perform routine laboratory experiments under supervision, including mammalian cell culture, Western blotting, PCR/RT-qPCR, histological staining (H&E), immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and multiplex immunofluorescence. Prepare samples for molecular, protein, and imaging analyses in accordance with established protocols.
• Animal research support (20%):
  Assist with mouse husbandry and colony maintenance, including breeding, weaning, genotyping, and record keeping. Support dermatology-related animal studies and assist with animal procedures, tissue collection, processing, and sample storage in compliance with approved IACUC protocols.
• Laboratory management and operations (20%):
  Support daily laboratory operations by preparing reagents and buffers, maintaining inventories, ordering and receiving laboratory supplies, and organizing laboratory space. Assist with routine maintenance of laboratory equipment to ensure efficient laboratory function.
• Laboratory safety and compliance (15%):
  Follow MUSC laboratory safety and environmental health policies. Assist in maintaining laboratory SOPs, chemical inventories, SDS documentation, and biosafety records. Support regulatory compliance activities, including IACUC and IBC documentation, as needed.
• Data analysis, communication & research support (10%):
  Assist with data organization, basic statistical analysis, figure preparation, and interpretation of experimental results. Contribute to laboratory meetings, presentations, and scientific discussions. Support manuscript preparation, grant-related documentation, and collaborative projects with core facilities and other research groups.

Minimum 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.

Physical requirements include the ability to perform job functions in an upright position, seated position, and while walking/mobile; climb using a step stool; work in temperature extremes; work in confined/cramped spaces; bend at the waist; twist at the waist; use both hands/arms; perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders; use both legs; reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions;

maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction; lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted; lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted; lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted; lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted; lift and carry 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted;

lift and carry 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted; push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level; maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted; perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements; maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes; match or discriminate between colors, normally;

hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems; hear and/or understand conversations; work in a darkroom for processing film, etc.; be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually. Additional new requirements include the ability to work rotating shifts as required, work overtime as required, and learn and use new processes, tools, and equipment as required.