Job Description Summary

Dr. Hainan Lang’s Hearing Research Laboratory in the Department of
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Dr. Christopher Cowan’s Laboratory in the Department
of Neuroscience at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) invite applications for a
Postdoctoral Fellow position. Potential research projects aim to better understand
auditory impairment and hearing loss in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental
disorders, including hearing impairment in animal models of autism, noise-induced hearing
loss, and other forms of sensorineural hearing loss.

We encourage highly qualified and motivated individuals with a PhD, or MD/PhD in scientific
areas relevant to neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases, including cellular and
molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and cell and gene therapy to apply. The ideal
candidate will have an excellent record of research experience and expertise in molecular
biology neuroscience and in vivo animal study. The Postdoctoral Fellowship provides
opportunities for training across a broad range of topics, including neurobiology (including inner
ear biology), neuroimmunology, auditory electrophysiology, measurement of mouse cognitive
behaviors, and molecular biology of the central nervous system.

The training environment offers numerous opportunities to collaborate with investigators in a
well-established, multi-disciplinary translational hearing research center with a focus on agerelated hearing loss (supported by NIH since 1987), and a nationally-recognized center of
neuroscience research (including the NIH-funded Center of Biomedical Research Excellence
(COBRE) in Neurodevelopment) at MUSC.

https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/otolaryngology/research/hearing
https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/pathology/division-of-experimentalpathology/laboratories/lang
https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/neuroscience

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC001002 COM PATH Basic Research CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-00

Pay Range

0.00 - 0.00 - 0.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

• 20% - Conduct research projects (supported by several extramural resources including NIH) focused on the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with auditory function impairment and hearing loss in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., those with genetic deficiencies, physical and environmental insults) in in vivo animal models.)

• 35% - Execute and develop/refine new experimental procedures for investigating the important roles of the immune system and pathophysiological alterations of the peripheral auditory system in hearing impairment, and declines in communication and other cognitive functions.

• 30% - Responsible for writing research manuscripts and presenting research data at national and international meetings; Establish an independent research project leading to the submission of an F32 or other K award application.

• 15% - Responsible for teaching and supervising graduate students, research assistants, and junior laboratory members to perform physiological, molecular, and cellular biological assays including in vivo mouse behavioral tests, RNA isolation for high throughput gene expression analysis, cell isolation, and culture from adult cochlear and brain tissues, bioinformatics analysis, and super-resolution imaging analysis.

MUSC Minimum Requirements; PHD

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform ’pinching’ operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 15 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent) Additional New Requirements: 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.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees