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.Entity
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)Worker Type
EmployeeWorker Sub-Type
Research GrantCost Center
CC000984 COM NEURO RES Operations CCPay Rate Type
HourlyPay Grade
University-GEN06
Pay Range
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40Work 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:
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:
Additional Knowledge:
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 counterThe boar re-runs this search every day and emails you what’s new — scraped straight from company career sites, no recruiter spam. Free.