Research Specialist 2 - Department of Neurosciences

Job Description Summary

The Flanigan Lab at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a Research Specialist II to join our laboratory as a technician. This position is ideal for someone with experience in mouse neuroscience research who is looking for a long-term opportunity to support ongoing research in the lab focusing on social behaviors in mouse models of addiction, depression, and sleep dysfunction. The lab employs a variety of circuit neuroscience techniques including fiber photometry, opto/chemogenetics, electrophysiology, anatomical tracing, in-situ hybridization, and transcriptomic analyses. 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 Flanigan Lab research and the lab policies and practices, please see the following sites/documents:

Flanigan Lab Research- https://meghanflanigancom.wordpress.com/about/
Flanigan Lab Policies and Expectations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nGp3UWSrx2qR3j8eKeqNNgk88-VRAnvsKDxF4tkwZg4/edit?usp=sharing

The ideal individual for this position will be a highly organized, detail oriented, and self-motivated person with basic knowledge of biomedical research techniques and neuroscience fundamentals. This position is ideal for a recent college graduate with a degree in a STEM-related discipline to gain additional research experience before moving on to graduate or medical school. They will be able to build skills and contribute to research manuscripts with the ability to lead their own research project if desired. This person will be part of a burgeoning research laboratory and will take part in setting the best lab practices and working environment for future lab members. This person should be flexible and willing to work as a team and independently when necessary. The ideal candidate would be able to start in the lab in or before January 2027.

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-GEN08

Pay Range

46,206.00 - 62,322.00 - 78,540.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Summary/Position Description:

The Flanigan Lab at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a Research Specialist 1 to join our laboratory as a technician. This position is ideal for someone with experience in mouse neuroscience research who is looking for a long-term opportunity to support ongoing research in the lab focusing on social behaviors in mouse models of addiction, depression, and sleep dysfunction. The lab employs a variety of circuit neuroscience techniques including fiber photometry, opto/chemogenetics, electrophysiology, anatomical tracing, in-situ hybridization, and transcriptomic analyses. 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 Flanigan Lab research and the lab policies and practices, please see the following sites/documents:

Flanigan Lab Research- https://meghanflanigancom.wordpress.com/about/

Flanigan Lab Policies and Expectations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nGp3UWSrx2qR3j8eKeqNNgk88-VRAnvsKDxF4tkwZg4/edit?usp=sharing

The ideal individual for this position will be a highly organized, detail oriented, and self-motivated person with basic knowledge of biomedical research techniques and neuroscience fundamentals. This position is ideal for a recent college graduate with a degree in a STEM-related discipline to gain additional research experience before moving on to graduate or medical school. They will be able to build skills and contribute to research manuscripts with the ability to lead their own research project if desired. This person will be part of a burgeoning research laboratory and will take part in setting the best lab practices and working environment for future lab members. This person should be flexible and willing to work as a team and independently when necessary. The ideal candidate would be able to start in the lab in or before January 2027.

Job Duties:

20% General Lab Maintenance and Organization- Maintain laboratory supplies and consumables, perform routine cleaning of laboratory and animal behavior space, clean glassware, and autoclave surgical supplies. Place and track lab supply/equipment orders and balance lab finances.

20% Animal Husbandry and Breeding Colony Maintenance- Assist in providing basic husbandry care for animals that are breeding and part of experimental studies. This person will also monitor, cull, and rehouse mouse lines as needed to facilitate experimental studies and maintain proper colony population.

25% Conduct Behavioral and Surgical Procedures in Mice- Carry out various behavioral experimental procedures, including but not limited to, alcohol drinking studies, operant alcohol self-administration studies, locomotion studies, depression- and anxiety-related studies, and social behavior studies in mice. Perform intracranial mouse surgeries for opto/chemogenetics, anatomical tracing, gene manipulation, and fiber photometry experiments.

20% Wet Lab Procedures- Perform tissue collection for and carry out various assays, including immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, qPCR, RNAseq, etc. Assure that standard laboratory solutions are stocked and refreshed as needed.

15% Maintain regulatory compliance- Work with the PI to ensure that the lab maintains best practices and institutional approvals related to chemical hazards, lab safety, animal welfare, and controlled substances.

Minimum Requirements

A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science and one year work experience directly related to the assigned research area.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science and one year work experience directly related to the assigned research area. 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.

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