Job Description Summary
A position for Staff Scientist II is open in the laboratory of Dr. Russell W. Jenkins. The successful candidate will assist in the planning and oversight of research projects that utilize in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro model systems to examine novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The successful candidate will primarily use ex vivo patient-derived tumor models (patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids, PDOTS) to investigate mechanisms of response and resistance to cancer immunotherapy to examine novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The level of complexity of this work is high with requisite knowledge of cancer cell biology, T cell biology, basic immunology, cancer immunology, and 3D tumor modeling. Further, this position involves project management experience and experience supervising 1 or more research technicians and assisting in the teaching and training of graduate students and other trainees. The candidate is expected to develop new areas of research, conduct experiments and data analysis, assist with the preparation of manuscripts and grants, and present at meetings.
Principal duties are to assist in experiments for research projects under supervision of the project head and the PI of the laboratory. Specifically, the lab is part of Medical University of South Carolina & Hollings Cancer Center and the focus is on cancer immunotherapy. The primary role of this position is to process patient samples from the clinic using the lab’s cutting-edge technology to evaluate response and resistance to cancer immunotherapeutics.
Entity
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)
Worker Type
Employee
Worker Sub-Type
Research Grant
Cost Center
CC000970 COM DOM Hematology/Oncology 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
Job Duties:
35% - Manages multiple research projects with minimal supervision, through the stages of planning, conducting experiments, and documentation and write-up of results. Functions as main driver and point of contact in collaborations with other research laboratories. Performs data acquisition, analysis, and results presentation with various software packages.
Ex vivo 3D microfluidic culture, drug/antibody treatment of murine- and patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (MDOTS/PDOTS) and cell line derived monotypic tumor spheroids (MTS)
Developing augmented 3D microfluidic organotypic tumor spheroid cultures using matched (autologous) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or CD3+ enriched peripheral T lymphocytes co-culture with MTS/PDOTS
Perform requisite fluorescence-based viability assessment of MDOTS, PDOTS, and MTS, including staining, microscope operation, image acquisition and image analysis
Maintain internal records related to MDOTS, PDOTS, and MTS processing along with associated meta-data
25% - Conducts experiments to nominate, validate, and effectively target pathways to overcome resistance to cellular immunotherapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, among other research goals. Performs a variety of techniques including molecular cloning, in vitro transcription, mRNA and DNA electroporation, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, primary cell culture, PCR, and western blotting. Performs data acquisition, analysis, and results presentation with various software packages.
15% - Independently troubleshoots technical problems, such as equipment malfunctions and issues in experimental assays.
10% - Develops new research directions for the development and evaluation of novel small molecule, large molecule, and cellular therapeutics, as well as developing and adapting experimental models and methodologies to carry out these investigations.
10% - Data analysis and manuscript preparation. Including but not limited to
Graphing and visualization of data with software including Graphpad Prism, FlowJo, Snapgene, Biorender, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Illustrator
Presenting data during lab meetings
Preparing publication quality figures, may be involved in writing of manuscripts
Efforts will directly contribute to grant applications and manuscripts
5% - Assists in the supervision and training of new lab members.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
2D and 3D cell culture (especially 3D microfluidic culture of organotypic tumor spheroids)
Handling, processing, and culturing primary tumor specimens
Cell viability studies (including IncuCyte live cell image analysis)
Secreted protein profiling (ELISA, Luminex)
Fluorescence microscopy
English language fluency
Good verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work independently and as member of a team
Additional Job Description
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: A PhD with 5 years post-doctorate experience and one year experience as a staff scientist. Previous experience working with patient-tumor tissue is ideal, but not essential. Supervising up to three technicians.
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 30 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 30 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 30 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 50 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 30 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.
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