Research Specialist 1 - Pharmacology & Immunology

Job Description Summary

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.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC001034 COM PHARM Operations CC

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-GEN06

Pay Range

37,200.00 - 48,300.00 - 59,500.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Percent Effort

This Research Specialist I position will provide technical assistance to the Principal Investigator on cancer research studies and assist with lab operations. The following are the specific tasks:

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

Additional Job Description

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: (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. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb, using step stool. (Infrequent) Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent) Ability to fully use both legs. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction. (Continuous) Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) 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. (Infrequent) Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level. (Frequent) Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally. (Continuous) Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous) Ability to hear and/or understand conversations. (Continuous) Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually. (Continuous) Additional New Requirements: 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