Research Specialist 1 - Department of Neurosciences

Job Description Summary

The C. Schmidt lab at the Neuroscience Department of MUSC is seeking a talented, motivated and detail-oriented research specialist to join our new lab at the Darby Children’s Research Institute and the Hollings Cancer Center. We are looking for an individual with experience in neuroscience or cancer biology who is looking for a long-term opportunity to lead research in our lab studying the early development of the brain and its susceptibility to cancer growth. This is an ideal position to gain experience in both basic science and translational research and suited for those who have a desire to pursue an advanced degree in biological sciences or medicine.

The Schmidt lab studies the developmental origin of pediatric brain cancers using a variety of molecular and stem cell biology techniques, including genetic editing via lentiviral infection or CRISPR/Cas9 systems, RNA/ATAC/CUT&RUN sequencing, human induced-pluripotent stem cell and human neural stem cell cultures, human brain organoid cultures and mouse intracranial injections. Experience in all of these techniques is not required, but enthusiasm for research and learning new skills should be present. For more details on the Schmidt Lab research please visit our lab website:
https://cschmidtlab.com

As a new lab, this is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in learning the full process of lab setup and conducting cutting-edge research. It is especially suited for those seeking personal growth and vigorous training in a nurturing environment. This position is vital for lab operations, experimental assistance, and contributions to neuroscience and cancer research. The ideal individual for this position will be a highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated person with a degree in a STEM-related discipline and basic knowledge of biomedical research techniques and neuroscience fundamentals. Training will be provided in all aspects of the work. This position start date would be as early as November 2026.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC000984 COM NEURO RES Operations CC

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-GEN06

Pay Range

37,944.00 - 49,266.00 - 60,690.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Description Summary:

The C. Schmidt lab at the Neuroscience Department of MUSC is seeking a talented, motivated and detail-oriented research specialist to join our new lab at the Darby Children’s Research Institute and the Hollings Cancer Center. We are looking for an individual with experience in neuroscience or cancer biology who is looking for a long-term opportunity to lead research in our lab studying the early development of the brain and its susceptibility to cancer growth. This is an ideal position to gain experience in both basic science and translational research and suited for those who have a desire to pursue an advanced degree in biological sciences or medicine.

The Schmidt lab studies the developmental origin of pediatric brain cancers using a variety of molecular and stem cell biology techniques, including genetic editing via lentiviral infection or CRISPR/Cas9 systems, RNA/ATAC/CUT&RUN sequencing, human induced-pluripotent stem cell and human neural stem cell cultures, human brain organoid cultures and mouse intracranial injections. Experience in all of these techniques is not required, but enthusiasm for research and learning new skills should be present. For more details on the Schmidt Lab research please visit our lab website:

https://cschmidtlab.com

As a new lab, this is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in learning the full process of lab setup and conducting cutting-edge research. It is especially suited for those seeking personal growth and vigorous training in a nurturing environment. This position is vital for lab operations, experimental assistance, and contributions to neuroscience and cancer research. The ideal individual for this position will be a highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated person with a degree in a STEM-related discipline and basic knowledge of biomedical research techniques and neuroscience fundamentals. Training will be provided in all aspects of the work. This position start date would be as early as November 2025.

Job Duties:

30% - Tissue Culture Work – Maintain and use stem cell lines and primary cell cultures for experimental purposes, this includes and is not limited to human iPS cells, neuronal stem cell cultures, human tumor cell lines, standard fibroblast cultures (HEK 293T) and brain organoid cultures. Experimental tissue culture work includes, proliferation or cell/death assays, drug treatments, transfections, lentivirus production and viral transductions (BSL2 work). It is also the responsibility of the research specialist to maintain a clean environment in the tissue culture room, upkeep inventory including reagent stocks and aliquots, and oversea equipment maintenance.

30% - Wet Lab Procedures – Molecular biology techniques, particularly cloning targeting constructs and CRISPR/Cas9, RNA and protein isolation, qRT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining and microscopy, cryosectioning of cryo-frozen tissue blocks, flow cytometry, handling plasmids and bacteria, preparing lab reagents, analyzing data for scientific reports.

25% - General Lab Maintenance and Organization – maintain laboratory supplies and consumables, perform routine cleaning of laboratory and tissue culture space, clean glassware and autoclave glassware and plastics, ensure safety and compliance guidelines, introduce new lab members to the lab space and work. Assist the principal investigator in establishing an efficient lab, foster science and training.

15% - Animal Husbandry and surgical procedures in mice – carry out intracranial injections of neural stem cells and tumor cells including but not limited to tumor growth studies, therapeutic intervention of tumor growth. Perform bioluminescence imaging, therapeutic treatment of mice, dissection of tumors and other tissue.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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
• Knowledge and/or experience with basic cell and molecular biology protocols
• Ability to learn more advanced wet lab techniques (genetic editing, flow cytometry, cryosectioning, sequencing library preparation)
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team

Additional Knowledge:

• Experience with culturing mammalian cells, human pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells, or organoids
• Experience with molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, such as molecular cloning, qRT-PCR, shRNA/siRNA gene knockdown, immunoblotting/immunofluorescence imaging
• Previous experience working with mice
• Genome editing (e.g. CRISRP/Cas9) experience

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